Immediate past spokesperson for the Education Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, has stated that the Akufo-Addo-led government made adequate financial provisions for feeding in Senior High Schools (SHSs) before the end of its tenure.
In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Kwarteng revealed that GH₵150 million was released for food supply, with GH₵100 million allocated to suppliers and GH₵50 million directed to headteachers for the purchase of perishables.
While he did not specify the exact date, he mentioned that the disbursement occurred last week.
This clarification comes in response to an appeal from the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) to parents and guardians to assist with feeding challenges in SHSs.
CHASS Secretary, Primus Baro, disclosed that some schools are rationing food, especially in northern Ghana. Baro explained that food supplies are scarce, particularly in the Upper West, Upper East, and Northern regions, where oil is completely unavailable, and schools have only rice and some gari.
However, Mr. Kwarteng disagreed with the portrayal of a food shortage, stating that the directive for students to bring food might be a precautionary measure rather than an indication of a complete shortage.
He emphasized that the situation was not due to the government’s financial shortfall but rather a result of suppliers’ cautious approach due to the uncertainty surrounding future payments from the incoming administration.
“When the new government has continuously indicated plans to allow headmasters to buy their own food, it will spark fear and panic among the suppliers,” Mr. Kwarteng explained.
“There could be a problem, but nobody should paint the picture that the previous government left a bad situation to create disaffection. It is nowhere admitted that there was no food; the schools had food.”
Source: adomonline.com