Mahama directs SHS menu overhaul as government pledges better student meals in 2026/2027

The government has committed to enhancing the quality and adequacy of meals for Senior High School students in the coming academic year, with President John Dramani Mahama directing a comprehensive review of school menus. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu made the announcement during a school visit as students returned for the 2026/2027 academic year, signalling renewed focus on student welfare under the Free SHS programme.

The assurance addresses longstanding concerns about food shortages and meal quality in schools, issues that have persisted since the Free SHS policy's introduction. Minister Iddrisu emphasised that the government has made adequate financial provision for student feeding, while pledging to examine data to ensure no student goes without meals. The menu review is expected to result in better nutritional standards and variety for students across the country.

Budget allocation and feeding grants

The government has committed substantial resources to address feeding challenges. For the 2026 academic year, GH¢4.2 billion has been allocated specifically for feeding Free SHS students, as part of a total GH¢9.6 billion budget for the entire Free SHS programme. This represents a significant investment in student nutrition and welfare.

Beyond the immediate budget allocation, the government plans to increase the feeding grant per student from GH¢8 to GH¢15, nearly doubling the amount available for meal preparation. This increase is intended to enable schools to purchase higher quality ingredients and provide more nutritious, varied meals. The enhanced grant reflects government acknowledgement that the previous allocation was insufficient to meet nutritional standards and student expectations.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Free SHS policy remains one of Ghana's most significant social interventions, removing financial barriers to secondary education for thousands of students annually. However, its success depends not only on enrolment but on students' wellbeing and ability to focus on studies. Poor nutrition directly impacts academic performance, concentration, and school attendance, making meal provision central to the programme's effectiveness.

President Mahama's administration inherited what it describes as an unsustainable funding model for the programme, with inadequate dedicated resources leading to payment delays to schools and food shortages. The government has since established dedicated funding arrangements and is now moving beyond crisis management to quality improvement. The menu review signals a shift from simply providing meals to ensuring those meals meet nutritional and quality standards.

For students and parents, this represents tangible evidence of government commitment to student welfare. For schools, the increased feeding grant and improved menu should reduce administrative stress around meal provision and allow focus on academic delivery. The initiative also reflects broader government priorities around educational quality and social protection.

Implementation and timeline

Students from Form One and Form Two in single-track schools will complete the 2026/2027 academic year by July 30, 2027, while Form Three students conclude by June 18, 2027, following WASSCE examinations. The government has not yet announced specific details of the revised menu or implementation timeline for the changes, though the announcement suggests these details will follow shortly.

The success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation at school level and sustained government funding. Minister Iddrisu's commitment to examine feeding data suggests ongoing monitoring to ensure schools receive timely payments and that budget allocations translate into improved meals for students.