The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has praised the quality of meals served to pupils under the Ghana School Feeding Programme in the metropolis.

The Mayor praised the food, describing it as "nice" and "delicious," after making an unannounced visit to the Aayalolo Cluster of Schools, John Wesley Methodist, and Accra Sempe Primary Schools in Accra to assess food preparation and portion sizes given to schoolchildren.

He said his assessment was based on personal checks and tastings, adding that if he could eat the food, it would also be suitable for the children.

At the Aayalolo Cluster of Schools, where he first visited, the Mayor interacted with teachers who raised concerns, including the need for a washroom and a secure school gate, and assured them of the Assembly's support to address the challenges identified.

At John Wesley Methodist School, the Mayor joined pupils during the serving period and sampled the meal being dished out before commending the caterers for the quality of the food.

At Accra Sempe Primary School, the Mayor told caterers and kitchen staff that once public funds had been paid for school feeding, the meals provided must be wholesome and appetising as well as for pupils who had lined up for their meals, encouraging them to enjoy their food, obey their teachers, and take their studies seriously.

Speaking in an interview after the visits, he said he had undertaken the surprise checks after observing that government payments to the school feeding implementers had improved and wanted to verify whether the funds were translating into quality meals for pupils.

He said the food served was generally acceptable and encouraged caterers to maintain standards and improve quantities where necessary to ensure children are properly fed.

The Mayor credited the school feeding team and the government for providing the resources needed to sustain the programme, adding that the improved flow of funds was helping caterers fulfil their responsibilities.

He disclosed that the positive feedback from pupils and the quality of meals served gave him confidence that the programme was working in the metropolis.

On infrastructure concerns raised by teachers during the tour, the Mayor said he would follow through on the requests to help deliver key needs like washrooms, repairs to parts of the school structure, and improvements to security at school gates.

The Mayor said the monitoring visits would help sustain standards in school feeding and ensure that children in public basic schools receive meals that are safe, adequate, and of good quality.