Localizing AU’s Agenda 2063; An Assessment of Ghana’s School Feeding Programme.

Abstract

This study investigates the localization of Africa's Agenda 2063, focusing specifically on Ghana's School Feeding Programme (SFP) as a mechanism to enhance education. Africa's Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for the continent’s development, emphasizes education as a key pillar for achieving sustainable growth and socio-economic transformation. Ghana, through its School Feeding Programme, has aligned its national efforts with this regional agenda by seeking to improve educational outcomes, particularly in the areas of student retention, attendance, and performance. The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate the monitoring mechanisms in place for the School Feeding Programme, assess the challenges encountered during its implementation, and examine its impact on the educational experience of children, especially in rural and underserved areas. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative data from interviews with key stakeholders including education officials, teachers, and beneficiaries with quantitative data from existing programme reports and assessments.The findings of the study reveal that while Ghana’s SFP has contributed positively to improving student attendance and reducing absenteeism, it faces significant challenges in terms of funding, logistical coordination, and inconsistent monitoring. These challenges hinder its full potential to contribute effectively to education improvement. The research further highlights that the programme has provided nutritional support that is crucial for students’ physical well-being, which in turn has had a positive impact on their concentration and academic performance. However, gaps in implementation, including insufficient oversight and the lack of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, limit the long-term effectiveness of the programme. Additionally, the study discusses the broader implications of the School Feeding Programme in the context of the African Union's Agenda 2063, exploring how Ghana's approach can be further optimized to better align with regional development goals. Recommendations include strengthening the monitoring systems, increasing community involvement in the programme's execution, securing consistent funding, and expanding the reach of the programme to more regions across the country. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the localization of Africa's Agenda 2063 by offering a detailed case study of Ghana’s SFP and its role in enhancing educational outcomes. The insights provided by this research offer valuable lessons for policymakers and practitioners seeking to strengthen educational initiatives across the continent, as well as improve the alignment of national strategies with the broader goals of regional development