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By Samuel SAM
Rice is one of the staple foods most widely consumed in Ghana, particularly in rural communities. Local rice production and consumption are, therefore, critical for Ghanaian schoolchildren, who depend on it for energy, growth and academic performance.
Prioritising local rice also reduces import dependency. Research indicates that over 50 percent of Ghana’s estimated 1.8 million metric tonnes of rice is supplied to schools, boosting enrolment and improving health in senior high schools. This has helped promote food security, nutrition and economic sustainability through programmes such as the World Food Programme (WFP) initiative, which complements the Ghana School Feeding Programme with fortified local rice.
To support this effort, WFP has equipped rice millers in northern Ghana with fortification machinery valued at over US$80,000, enabling them to process high-quality rice that meets market standards.
One key beneficiary is the Bolgatanga–Bawku–Navrongo (BBN) Women Cooperative Credit Union in the Upper East Region. The cooperative now produces fortified rice for school feeding in 35 senior high schools, reaching about 157,510 students across basic and senior high levels. The initiative reflects WFP’s commitment to improving the welfare of the younger generation.
With funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), WFP is working with the Ghana School Feeding Programme under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ghana Education Service, the Ghana Health Service and Women in Agriculture Development. The partnership aims to improve nutrition and learning outcomes through the introduction of fortified rice in public and private schools across seven regions.
Health benefits
Rice fortification significantly reduces micronutrient deficiencies, especially iron-deficiency anaemia. By enhancing iron bio-availability in a staple food, fortified rice improves students’ health and learning ability. Studies among rural Ghanaian children show that fortified rice can provide 36–51 percent of daily iron needs for school-age children, even in areas affected by infections and malaria.
Fortified rice kernels increase iron absorption several times more than standard methods, reducing anaemia in populations that consume rice daily. Formulations using agents such as EDTA have delivered about 0.26mg of absorbed iron per day from 100g of rice.
Beyond iron, fortified rice also improves vitamin A status and cognitive performance. Children who consumed fortified rice for six months recorded better test scores and reduced micronutrient deficiencies, including zinc. The process does not significantly alter taste or cost, making it sustainable for school feeding.
In northern Ghana, WFP targets high-deficiency areas, improving health and boosting school enrolment while supporting local economies.

Strengthening school feeding
The fortified rice initiative aims to address micronutrient deficiencies, increase enrolment and attendance, and ultimately enhance academic performance in underserved communities.
WFP, in partnership with the Ghana Education Service and the Ghana School Feeding Programme, selected 365 basic schools and 35 senior high schools in 12 districts across six regions—Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Ashanti, Oti and Greater Accra—for the pilot phase.
So far, WFP has delivered 123 metric tonnes of fortified rice, contributing to a 7.9 per cent increase in enrolment in participating private schools and extending benefits to public senior high schools.
Investment in local capacity
To ensure sustainable supply, WFP has procured and delivered four rice fortification machines valued at over US$80,000 to millers in four regions.
These are Upper East: BBN Cooperative – equipment delivered and installed; Ashanti: Franco Food Processing and Farms – delivered and installed; Greater Accra: Max Industries – delivered and installed; and North-East: Tamanaa Company Ltd. – contract signed, delivery pending.
Following installation, WFP supplied 60 metric tonnes of fortified rice kernels valued at over US$91,000 to millers for processing and distribution to schools through caterers and the National Food Buffer Stock Company for senior high schools.
WFP is finalising a cost–benefit analysis to guide possible scale-up and the feasibility of making fortified rice mandatory under the Ghana School Feeding Programme.

Supply and consumption
In 2025, BBN Cooperative and Ko Franco Farms supplied 170 metric tonnes of fortified rice and 61.7 metric tonnes of parboiled unpolished rice to nine selected senior high schools in the Upper East, Northern and Ashanti Regions.
Max Industries is preparing to produce 200 metric tonnes for private schools and WFP livelihood projects targeting pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and adolescent girls.
Private schools feeding
The initiative has been extended to low-fee private schools in deprived communities across 17 districts in four northern regions, with about 208 schools and over 60,000 pupils expected to benefit.
So far, about 123 metric tonnes of fortified rice has been supplied to 58,991 pupils, leading to a 7.9 percent increase in enrolment. As at the time of visit, about 750 bags of 25kg local rice had been processed and were ready for distribution.
To improve accountability, WFP has introduced a hybrid cash-and-voucher system, expanded trained food retailers from four to 31, formed School Implementation Committees and digitised reporting through the School Connect platform.
Field observations
A visit by WFP officials and journalists to rice processing facilities at Borigu and Lelingo Anafobiisi in Bongo District showed that large-scale fortification is an effective way to address micronutrient deficiencies in rice-dependent communities.
The Lelingo–Songtaba Anafobiisi Women’s Group commended WFP for providing fortification machines and training, which have improved their production and income. Members said their output had increased from about four bags to over ten bags per person for milling and sale.
Agana Mavis, a university student and member of the group, said the project had enabled her to support her education and family.
“The parboiling of rice with a ready market has salvaged our plight and increased our income,” she said.
At Our Lady of Lourdes Girls’ Senior High School in Navrongo, the Matron, Madam Edna Atirimbey, said fortified rice would improve students’ health and academic performance. The Dining Hall Prefect, Edna Asebire, noted that local brown rice stores longer and does not spoil easily.
Economic empowerment
Mrs. Priscilla Aberingu Alemiya, General Manager of BBN Farmers Cooperative Credit Union Ltd., said the project had led to the sale of over 5,000 bags of 25kg parboiled and fortified rice to schools.
The programme has empowered women, reduced rural–urban migration and enabled year-round economic activity. She called for collaboration with more farmers and private investors to sustain production.
The way forward
Stakeholders are urging government to partner with WFP and investors to expand access to fortified local rice in more schools. Investment in local rice farming, especially among the youth, is also needed to support industry and school feeding.
This, they say, will ensure value for money, provide quality local rice, reduce imports and strengthen the Ghana School Feeding Programme. The National School Inspectorate, the Ghana School Feeding Programme and the National Food Buffer Stock Company are encouraged to work with WFP to equip more local millers with fortification machines to meet national standards.