... for school feeding programme

Accra, June 29, GNA- Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment on Thursday expressed appreciation to the Dutch government for its continuous support of programmes and project in the country, in line with the developmental agenda.

He said programmes such as the School Feeding Programme, which was being supported on a one-on- one basis by the Dutch government and the government of Ghana, needed commendation since it was aimed at increasing school enrolment, attendance and retention Mr. Boateng made the commendation when the Dutch Ambassador, Mr Arie Van Der Wiel and two other officials from his office, responsible for the Ghana School Feed Programme called on the Minister at his office. He said the school feeding programme was also aimed at attaining some objectives of the Millennium Development Goals, including, achieving universal basic education, reduction in child mortality and eradication of extreme poverty, among others.

Mr. Boateng said he was hopeful that by the end of the first phase of the project, a total of about 1.4 million children would have benefited from the programmes.

"For the present school term, 45,300 pupils from 151 schools, covering almost all the districts were benefiting from the programme. "An additional 70 schools, comprising 21,00 pupils will be added in the month of July," he said.

Mr. Van Der Wiel said the school feeding programme was key to the decentralization policy and hence the need for all stakeholders to ensure the sustenance of the programme, even after the pilot phase. "If, after the pilot, the programme proves to be successful, be sure of our support," Mr. Van Der Wiel told the Minister.