President Mahama note on free senior high school feeding problem

President John Dramani Mahama’s Speech on the Free SHS Feeding Crisis

Address to the Nation, January 2025

Fellow Ghanaians,

Good evening.

It is with great concern and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today to address a pressing issue that has affected the lives of many of our young students, parents, and educators across the country—the Free Senior High School (SHS) feeding program.

When the Free SHS policy was introduced, it was a moment of hope for the future of education in Ghana. It was a promise—a promise that no child would be denied the opportunity for secondary education due to the inability of their parents or guardians to afford the associated costs. Under this policy, we not only ensured that tuition fees were covered but also that the basic needs of students, including meals, would be taken care of.

The right to education is fundamental. Every Ghanaian child, regardless of their background, deserves to access quality education without fear of financial hardship. The feeding program, a critical component of the Free SHS initiative, was meant to complement the vision of an all-inclusive educational system. It was designed so that no student would go hungry while they learned and no child would have to worry about where their next meal would come from.

However, as we all know, the implementation of this important program has not been without challenges. The feeding aspect, which was supposed to be a cornerstone of the policy, has been marred by delays in disbursements, rising food prices, and an inefficient distribution system. Many of our students have found themselves in situations where the meals provided are insufficient, substandard, or at times, entirely unavailable.

Let me be clear: This is not a failure of the Free SHS policy itself. The policy, in its essence, remains a noble one—one that we should all support. The problem lies in the execution—the failure to address the logistical and financial challenges that are preventing the feeding program from reaching its full potential.

It is unacceptable that our students, who are the future of this nation, are going without the nourishment they need to succeed academically. It is a matter of great concern when we hear stories of students skipping meals or struggling to focus in class because of hunger.

As a nation, we must ask ourselves: how can we ensure that these children, who have been given the opportunity to study, can focus on their education if their basic needs are not met?

The Way Forward

I believe it is crucial that we address these issues immediately. The first step is to ensure that the feeding program is properly funded, and that payments to food suppliers are made on time. The government must prioritize the timely disbursement of funds, so that suppliers can deliver quality meals to our students without delay.

Furthermore, we must take a hard look at the structure of the feeding program. It is not enough to simply provide food; the quality of the meals must be improved to ensure that students are getting the necessary nutrition to sustain them through their academic journey. I am calling for more efficient management, better coordination between local authorities and schools, and greater transparency in the allocation of resources.

As a country, we must also explore new ways to address the rising costs of food. Inflation and global supply chain challenges have increased the prices of many staple food items, and we must be proactive in addressing this issue. The government should consider partnerships with local farmers and suppliers to reduce the reliance on imported food, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the feeding program in the long run.

I also urge the private sector, NGOs, and other stakeholders to collaborate with the government to support this initiative. Public-private partnerships in the feeding program can help create a more robust, diversified, and sustainable solution.

Our Commitment to the Youth

Let me emphasize that the future of Ghana depends on our youth. We cannot afford to let any child fall behind because of hunger or inadequate support. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and propelling our country to greater heights. We owe it to our children to provide them with the tools they need to succeed, and this includes access to nutritious meals that will help them thrive in school.

We cannot allow the Free SHS policy to be a success in name only. We must ensure that every student who benefits from this initiative has the resources they need to reach their full potential. If we are to truly transform Ghana into a prosperous nation, we must invest in the health, well-being, and education of our young people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I stand firm in my belief that the Free SHS policy, when properly implemented, will continue to be a powerful force for good in our nation. However, it is equally important that we address the challenges with the feeding program and take concrete steps to resolve the issues that have affected its success.

I call on all Ghanaians—parents, educators, students, and government officials—to unite in the pursuit of a solution. Our children are our future, and it is our duty to ensure they are given every opportunity to succeed.

Let us work together to ensure that no child in Ghana is left hungry in their pursuit of education. Let us reaffirm our commitment to the future of our nation by making the Free SHS policy truly free, for every student, in every part of this great country.

Thank you, and may God bless Ghana.