IMPACT OF THE GHANA SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME ON EDUCATION AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN THE SAVELUGUNANTON DISTRICT

ABSTRACT Poverty in the Savelugu-Nanton District has a long history reinforced by its geographical location and cultural practices of the people. The study set out to assess the impact of the Ghana School Feeding Programme on basic education and poverty reduction in the Savelugu-Nanton District in the Northern Region of Ghana. This impact study, involved content analysis and field survey that assessed the implementation process and examined the effect of the programme on the beneficiary communities. This involved four sets of survey instruments and a study sample of 52 persons from the Ghana School Feeding Programme institutional set up, donor agencies and beneficiary schools and communities. ANOVA was used to compare schooling attainments for the effects of the school feeding programme in the beneficiary communities. The main findings of the study were irregular funding, lack of collaboration and participation by major stakeholders and the non compliance with selection criteria. The food production component was implemented in the study area. Though school enrolment and drop-out were improved, there was no improvement in school attendance. It was concluded that the implementation processes was not fully effective and therefore, failed to attain a model for community-based development in the Savelugu-Nanton District. It is recommended to the Government of Ghana to review the policy through parliament for full compliance and adequate funding. Further, food production by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should be tied into the programme to sustain the school feeding.