8,841 pupils benefit from school feeding programme in Nzema East

Eight thousand, eight hundred and forty-one (8,841) school children are currently benefiting from the School Feeding Programme in the Nzema East Municipality of Western Region.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Hon. Frank Okpenyen disclosed this at a "Meet the Press" series organised by the Assembly to showcase its performance in the implementation of Government's programmes and policies since January 7, 2017.

He said transparency and accountability are among the key tenets in every democratic dispensation and accounting to the people through active participation of locals, he noted contributes to achieving objectives of good governance.

The MCE said the media is the means through which good governance can reach the citizenry.

The MCE said that the number of school children in the Municipality benefiting from the programme has increased from the previous 4,451 to 8,841 in the last three years.

According to the MCE, the NDC from January 2009 to January 2017 failed to add any school in the Municipality to the School Feeding Programme.

He said the sixteen schools which were benefiting from the programme before he took over as the Municipal Chief Executive, were the achievement of the Kufour-led administration.

He, therefore challenged the NDC to provide any document to show to Ghanians they added some schools into the programme.

Hon. Frank Okpenyen also disclosed that the caterers for the Programme, numbering sixty-six had increased from the previous number of thirty.

He advised the caterers to prepare nutritious meals for the children since a healthy meal ensures a sound mind for academic performance.

He said the increased figure represented fifty percent of the schools which were being catered for under the programme.

The MCE said one could not deny the fact that the school feeding programme has brought great relief to parents

He observed that in certain deprived communities where children had to labour or perform odd jobs to make ends meet and to acquire basic necessities, the school feeding programme had reduced their plight.

He indicated that the government would extend the programme to cover more basic schools, especially those in rural areas to increase enrollment in the Municipality next year.

He urged parents to embrace the School Feeding Programme and commended former President John Agyekum Kufour for the laudable programme.

The MCE seized the platform to hail the Akufo-Addo-led government for introducing the Free Senior High School flagship programme which he noted had reduced the financial burden on parents.

Mr Frank Okpenyen pleaded with his people to rally behind President Akufo-Addo and the Member of Parliament for the area, Catherine Afeku to develop the area and added that they should remember them in 2020 general elections by retaining them.