School meals across Upper East Region just got a quality control intervention, and caterers are being put on notice over what goes into kids' lunch pots.
GSFP cracks down on unapproved ingredients in the Upper East Region
GSFP cracks down on unapproved ingredients in the Upper East Region
- Upper East Regional School Feeding Coordinator Fawzia Abagnama Yakubu issued a direct order for caterers to drop the widely used white Maggi seasoning from school meals.
- Caterers from Bolgatanga Municipal, Bolgatanga East, Talensi, Nabdam, and Bongo districts were pulled into a practical cooking demonstration training at Jubilee Park in Bolgatanga.
- Officials from the Ghana School Feeding Programme National Secretariat were also present at the session.
- Fresh and locally sourced ingredients, including locally grown rice, are what Yakubu wants caterers to lean on instead.
- White aprons and caps are now mandatory gear for all cooking activities under the programme, per Yakubu's directive.
- Caterers who skip the protective attire are looking at written warnings or straight-up contract termination.
- Wearing jewelry or accessories while cooking got flagged as a food contamination risk that could directly harm children.
- Upper East Regional Minister Akamugri Donatus Atanga urged caterers to bring genuine dedication and professionalism to their role.
- Meal quality, hygiene, and nutritional value all feed directly into children's health and learning capacity, according to Atanga.
- Strengthening skills in menu planning, food handling, and nutrition standards is what this practical training is designed to deliver.
- Upper East Region's session sits among the final exercises scheduled for the year.
- The North East and Savannah regions are up next as the nationwide training push continues.
