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Minister meets new leadership of Ghana School Feeding Programme
The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has held her first official meeting with the new leadership of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).
The meeting brought together the National Coordinator, Madam Hajia Fati Forgor, the two Deputy National Coordinators ( Madam Felicia Mekpoi Bortey and Madam Faustina Lamptey), and the MASLOC CEO to discuss the way forward for the programme.
In her remarks, the Minister emphasized the need for strong collaboration between the GSFP and the Ministry, noting that effective teamwork would help resolve challenges affecting the programme.
She stressed that GSFP remains a priority area for President John Dramani Mahama, and as such, all stakeholders must work together to enhance its quality and expand its reach, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of proper monitoring and supervision to ensure caterers are delivering nutritious meals to school children.
The Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, took the opportunity to brief the new coordinators on the programme’s structure, approval processes, reporting lines, and payment systems.
She reiterated that the GSFP, under the supervision of the Ministry, is committed to its core mandate of providing one hot, nutritious meal daily to pupils from Kindergarten to Primary Six.
Madam Hajia Fati Forgor, the new National Coordinator, expressed gratitude to the Minister for the warm reception and pledged to work closely with her deputies to fulfill the vision of the President.
She acknowledged the Minister’s commitment to strengthening the programme and assured both the President and the Ministry of her dedication to addressing challenges, including fostering open dialogue with caterers for smooth operations.
The CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Abigail Akwambea Elorm Mensah also participated in the meeting and explored potential collaboration with GSFP to support caterers financially while they await payments.
Discussions further touched on restructuring the GSFP to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
The meeting ended on a note of renewed commitment to improving the programme’s effectiveness and ensuring that school children across the country receive quality meals.
Hajia Fati and the two deputies were be later introduced to the staff of the Ghana School Feeding Programme.
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
