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Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced that President John Dramani Mahama has directed a review of the Senior High School menu to improve the quality of meals served to students.

The announcement was made during the Minister’s visit to Tarkwa Senior High School on Friday, 18 September 2026, as students returned to school for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Reports about the President’s directive have specifically referred to the inclusion of eggs and chicken. However, the details of the revised national SHS menu, including the exact frequency and implementation date for particular food items, have not yet been publicly announced. The confirmed position at this stage is that the menu is being reviewed to improve the quality of meals served to students.

Key Takeaways

• President Mahama has directed a review of the SHS menu.
• Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu says the objective is to improve the quality of meals served to students.
• The announcement was made during a visit to Tarkwa SHS on 18 September 2026.
• The reported review is associated with calls for improved meals, including eggs and chicken.
• The Government says adequate provisions have been made for SHS students’ meals for the 2026/2027 academic year.
• The final revised menu and implementation details are yet to be announced.

In Brief

President John Dramani Mahama has directed a review of the Senior High School feeding menu as part of efforts to improve the quality of meals provided to students under the Free SHS programme.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu disclosed the directive during a visit to Tarkwa SHS, where he also assured students that adequate provisions had been made for their meals as schools reopened.

The proposed menu improvements have been reported in connection with the inclusion of food items such as eggs and chicken, although the final revised menu has not yet been published.

➡️ Related: Free SHS Policy and Student Welfare
➡️ Related: SHS Admission and Reopening Updates

President Mahama Orders Review of SHS Menu

The Government is set to review the menu served to students in Ghana’s Senior High Schools following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu disclosed the directive during his visit to Tarkwa Senior High School on Friday, 18 September.

According to the Minister, the review is intended to make the meals provided to students better.

The announcement comes as SHS and Senior High Technical School students return to school for the 2026/2027 academic year, placing renewed attention on the quality and adequacy of meals provided under the Free SHS programme.

Eggs and Chicken Mentioned in Menu Improvement Discussions

The reported menu review has generated particular attention around the inclusion of eggs and chicken in meals served to SHS students.

These food items are significant sources of protein and are commonly incorporated into school meals and wider diets.

However, it is important to distinguish between the directive to review the menu and a formally published revised menu.

At the time of publication, the Government has not announced the complete revised menu or specified how frequently particular items such as eggs or chicken will be served across schools.

EducateGhana therefore presents the reported inclusion of eggs and chicken as part of the menu-improvement direction rather than as a confirmed nationwide serving schedule.

➡️ Related: SHS Food and Nutrition Updates
➡️ Related: Education Policy and Student Welfare

Government Assures Students of Adequate Food

The menu review comes alongside an assurance from the Education Minister that adequate provisions have been made to feed students during the new academic year.

During his interaction at Tarkwa SHS, Mr Iddrisu said he would examine the available data and work to ensure that students do not experience shortages of food.

The Minister’s comments address two related aspects of school feeding: availability of food and quality of meals.

A school feeding system therefore has to provide not only sufficient quantities but also meals that meet reasonable nutritional and dietary expectations for students.

GH¢4.2 Billion Allocated for Free SHS Feeding in 2026

According to the current report, the Government has allocated GH¢4.2 billion for feeding Free SHS students in 2026, as part of a total GH¢9.6 billion allocation for the Free SHS programme.

The funding commitment comes amid broader efforts to address challenges associated with feeding students under the programme.

The Education Minister has also announced plans to increase the feeding grant from GH¢8 to GH¢15 per student, as part of reforms being considered for the programme.

➡️ Related: Free SHS Funding and Education Budget Updates
➡️ Related: Ghana Education Statistics and Policy

Why the Menu Review Matters

Food is an essential component of student welfare, particularly in boarding schools where students depend substantially on meals provided by their institutions.

The quality and adequacy of those meals can affect students’ wellbeing during the school day and their overall experience in residential schools.

The menu review therefore extends beyond simply adding individual food items. Its broader significance will depend on the final menu, nutritional balance, procurement arrangements, consistency of supply and the resources available to schools to implement it.

The Government’s stated objective is to improve the meals provided to students, but the practical impact will become clearer when the revised menu and implementation arrangements are formally communicated.

What Has Not Yet Been Announced

Several details remain outstanding.

The Government has not yet publicly specified:

• The complete revised SHS menu.
• How often eggs will be served.
• How often chicken will be served.
• Whether the revised menu will apply uniformly to all SHS/SHTS.
• The date on which the revised menu will take effect.
• The detailed funding and procurement arrangements for the additional food items.

These details will be important in assessing how the menu review will operate across schools.

What Students and Parents Should Expect

For now, students and parents should distinguish between the announcement of a menu review and the final implementation of the revised menu.

The confirmed position is that President Mahama has directed the review and that the Education Minister has assured students that adequate food provisions have been made for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Further details are expected through official communication from the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has President Mahama directed a review of the SHS menu?

Yes. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said President Mahama has directed that the SHS menu be reviewed to improve the quality of meals served to students.

Will eggs and chicken be included in the SHS menu?

Eggs and chicken have been reported in connection with the proposed menu improvements. However, the final revised menu and detailed serving arrangements have not yet been officially announced.

When was the directive announced?

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced the directive during a visit to Tarkwa Senior High School on 18 September 2026.

Has the new menu already taken effect?

The available report does not establish that the complete revised menu has already taken effect. Details of the revised menu and implementation date are yet to be announced.

How much has been allocated for Free SHS feeding in 2026?

The current report states that GH¢4.2 billion has been allocated for feeding Free SHS students in 2026.

Conclusion

The directive to review the SHS menu marks another development in the Government’s efforts to address the quality and adequacy of meals provided under the Free SHS programme.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu says President Mahama wants the menu improved, while students have been assured that adequate provisions have been made for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Although eggs and chicken have been highlighted in reports about the proposed improvement, the full revised menu, serving frequency and implementation date remain to be communicated officially.

The next important step will therefore be the publication of the revised menu and the operational arrangements for implementing it across Ghana’s SHS and SHTS system.

About the Author

Ferdinand Ellis is a Ghanaian education blogger, curriculum specialist, researcher, education policy analyst and educator. He is the founder and editor of EducateGhana.com, Ghana’s Education Intelligence Platform, and writes on education policy, curriculum, teacher education, student welfare and developments across Ghana’s education sector.

Editorial Note

EducateGhana distinguishes between confirmed government announcements and details that remain subject to further official communication. This report does not treat the reported inclusion of individual food items as a final nationwide menu until the revised menu is formally published.

Source

MyJoyOnline, “Mahama orders review of SHS menu as Education Minister assures students of adequate food,” 19 September 2026.