The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, has announced that the government has initiated the necessary steps to ensure that all the processes involved in the Ghana School Feeding Programme are digitalized.
The Minister assured the media that the programme will no longer rely on the manual system but will soon launch an Information Management System to manage the entire process. She said the system will manage the caterer selection, data collection and payment modules.
She reiterated that the digitalized system, which seeks to increase efficiency and transparency in the program’s operations will commence in September 2024 – 2025 academic years.
“We are moving away from a manual system to an online system, where everything will be done electronically, this will help us to streamline the process, reduce duplication, and increase accountability”, she stated.
Dakoa Newman made the announcement at the Ministers’ Press Briefing series in Accra today.
Addressing the media, the minister noted that with the new system, prospective caterers would be required to apply online, pay a fee of 200 cedis, and create a profile to be considered under the programme. She said caterers would also have to provide details including health certificates, business operating permits, declare financial capabilities among others.
Hon. Newman emphasized that the digital system would provide immediate updates, allowing the Ministry to monitor the progress more effectively.
“It’s going to give us real-time updates, we will know today the number of caterers who cooked, without having to wait till the end of the term,” she emphasized.
The Minister also announced that the system would be piloted in the New Juaben South and Krachi East districts before it will be rolled out nationwide.
She encouraged caterers to apply online and take advantage of the new system.
“This is a key step towards a paperless society and a greener society, we are excited to launch this new system and improve the efficiency of the Ghana School Feeding Programme”, she said.
Source:newsalertgh.com