Abstract: Background: Malnutrition of children in Ghana continues during school years. There is limited information on
how school meals meet nutrient recommendations in Ghana.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare energy and nutrient content of meals served by Ghana School Feeding
Programme (GSFP) and Non-Governmental School Feeding Programme (NGSFP) and adherence to nutrient
recommendations.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study design involving observation of school meals at two sites: GSFP and NGSFP.
Average weights of a week’s meal were converted to energy and nutrient equivalence and compared with international
recommendations. Differences assessed with t-tests.
Results: NGSFP provided significantly higher portion size (416 ± 96 g vs. 243 ± 50 g; p=0.007), energy (776 ± 427 kcal
vs. 315 ± 24 kcal; p=0.042) and fats (17± 8 vs. 6 ± 2; p=0.019) but similar micronutrient contributions to GSFP. NGSFP
met energy and macronutrient recommendation set by World Food Programme; whereas, GSFP did not meet the
recommendations.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The NGSFP had more energy and macronutrients per serving size than the GSFP.
Regulation of meals served by GSFP should be reviewed to ensure they contribute to the adequacy of children’s diets as
well as meet recommendations set by World Food Programme.