Experts believe this will lead to improved child nutrition under School Feeding program
Nutrition specialists are pushing for the integration of aquatic foods, especially fish, into the School Feeding Programme to enhance the nutritional value of meals provided to children.
At the launch of the Aquatic Foods in School Meal Project, Dr Jolene Nyarko, a nutrition expert from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Food Research Institute (CSIR-FRI), emphasized that adding fish to school menus would improve children’s health and support livelihoods within the fish value chain.
“Fish is packed with essential nutrients like protein, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamins D and B12, crucial for growth, immune function, and overall well-being,” she stated.
Dr Nyarko highlighted the urgency of diversifying school meals, citing evidence of stunting, thinness, and malnutrition among school-age children.
She referenced a CSIR study in the Volta Region involving 650 children, which revealed that 50 percent were stunted, 19 percent underweight, and 7 percent overweight, underscoring the need for better nutrition.
The School Feeding Programme, operational for 20 years and serving over 4 million children across 12,000 schools, has improved meal access but lacks dietary diversity, according to Dr Nyarko.
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Funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and implemented with CSIR, the Fisheries Commission, Ghana Education Service, and the Ghana School Feeding Programme, the project will be piloted in Ekumfi (Central Region) and Kpone (Greater Accra), both known for fishing and farming.
Dr Gregory A Komlaga, Deputy Director of CSIR-FRI, stressed the importance of fish in children’s diets. “At this critical developmental stage, adequate nutrition is vital for children to reach their full potential.
Including fish in school meals will make a significant impact,” he said. He added that CSIR-FRI’s role is to provide evidence-based food policy recommendations, with fish integration being a practical step to combat malnutrition.
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The project’s launch workshop convened stakeholders, including the Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Fisheries, fishmongers’ associations, and international partners.
The initiative aims to create a sustainable model for diversifying school menus, improving child nutrition, and boosting market opportunities for fish processors and traders.
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below: