Haruna Iddrisu: SHS Students Will Have Enough Food as Schools Reopen

The reopening of Senior High Schools (SHS) and Senior High Technical Schools on September 18, following the release of the 2026/2027 academic calendar by the Ghana Education Service, marks the beginning of a key transition period in Ghana's secondary education sector.

Addressing students and staff during a official visit to Tarkwa Senior High School on Friday, September 18, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu delivered a firm assurance that adequate food provisions have been put in place for all institutions nationwide.

Crucially, the Minister revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has officially directed a full review of the current SHS menu to significantly elevate the nutritional quality of food served on campus.

Highlighting the government's direct oversight, Haruna Iddrisu stated,

I will follow further to examine the data and then we'll ensure that you don't lack food. We make adequate provision for your meals. I'm happy to announce that President Mahama has directed that we review your menu to make it better.

These nutrition reforms are backed by dedicated financial commitments aimed at permanently resolving recurring supply disruptions.

Out of a total GH¢9.6 billion allocated for the Free SHS programme in 2026, the government has set aside GH¢4.2 billion specifically for student feeding.

Explaining the structural context, President Mahama noted that previous implementations of the policy suffered from a lack of dedicated funding mechanisms, which frequently resulted in delayed budget releases and food shortages in schools.

Under the revamped framework, ring-fenced funding arrangements have been established for high school administration and feeding grants.

To ensure these funds reflect current economic realities, the Education Minister announced plans to almost double the daily feeding grant from GH¢8 to GH¢15 per student as part of broader systemic reforms.

These feeding initiatives arrive as students embark on a full academic session under the structured Ghana Education Service calendar.

Single-track Form One and Form Two students are scheduled to wrap up their academic year on July 30, 2027.

Meanwhile, Form Three students are set to conclude their final year on June 18, 2027, coinciding with the end of the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

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The current reforms to the Free SHS feeding model represent a major shift toward prioritizing student health and nutritional dignity in Ghanaian high schools.

By pairing a menu overhaul with a grant increase to GH¢15 per student and securing GH¢4.2 billion in dedicated feeding funds, the government is taking direct steps to eliminate food shortages and elevate boarding school standards.