Caterers under the government’s school feeding programme in the Ashanti region are up in arms over unpaid arrears for three academic terms. Despite numerous promises, they have not received payment from September 2023 to June 2024, leaving them frustrated and disappointed.
The caterers, who are responsible for feeding thousands of students in the region, say they are struggling to operate due to the government’s failure to pay them. They claim they have not received any payment for nine months, despite repeated assurances from the government.
The situation is dire, with some caterers unable to pay their creditors, who are now threatening to take legal action against them. The caterers say they are being harassed and intimidated by their creditors, who are demanding payment.
The caterers have given the government an ultimatum to pay them by the end of Wednesday, June 26, or face their wrath. They have threatened to embark on a demonstration to press home their demands, which could disrupt the school feeding programme in the region.
The school feeding programme is a flagship initiative of the government, aimed at providing nutritious meals to students in public schools. However, the programme has been plagued by challenges, including funding issues and corruption.
Education think tank, Africa Education Watch, has called for a 200 percent increase in the cost of the school feeding programme to ensure quality food for beneficiaries. According to the think tank, an amount of GH¢3 billion is needed to sustain the programme.
Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has warned that the programme is at risk of collapse if the government does not increase funding. He has called on the government to prioritize the programme and ensure that caterers are paid on time.
The caterers’ threat to demonstrate has sparked concerns about the impact on students who rely on the programme for their daily meals. Parents and guardians are worried that the situation could lead to a disruption in the academic calendar.
The government has yet to respond to the caterers’ ultimatum, but sources say officials are holding emergency meetings to resolve the issue. The caterers are hopeful that the government will pay them before the deadline to avoid any disruptions.
The situation highlights the challenges facing the school feeding programme and the need for the government to prioritize funding to ensure its success. The caterers’ threat to demonstrate is a wake-up call for the government to address the issues facing the programme and ensure that students receive quality meals.
