Teachers Are Eating Food Meant for Students, Causing Shortages” – Hajia Fati Forgor

The National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Hajia Fati Forgor, has raised serious concerns over alleged misconduct by some teachers, accusing them of consuming food meant strictly for schoolchildren — a practice she says is contributing to persistent food shortages in beneficiary schools.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement on the challenges facing the programme, Hajia Fati Forgor revealed that reports from caterers and monitoring teams indicate that food portions intended for pupils are sometimes diverted to teachers and non-beneficiaries.

According to her, the School Feeding Programme was designed to improve school attendance, nutrition, and learning outcomes, especially for children in deprived communities. However, abuse of the system by adults undermines these objectives and affects the most vulnerable pupils.

“When food meant for students is shared with teachers, it reduces portions and in some cases leads to shortages before all children are served,” she stated.

Hajia Fati Forgor emphasized that while teachers play a critical role in the education system, the programme’s guidelines do not permit teachers to be fed under the GSFP, unless separate arrangements are made by school authorities.

She warned that continued violations could attract administrative sanctions, stressing that strict monitoring measures are being introduced to ensure accountability, transparency, and fairness in food distribution.

The revelation has sparked public debate nationwide, with many Ghanaians calling for stronger supervision, clear enforcement of guidelines, and protection of children’s welfare under the programme.