Please Cook, You Will Be Paid Soon: School Feeding Secretariat Begs Caterers
School Feeding Programme
The Ghana School Feeding Secretariat is appealing to school feeding caterers to reconsider their decision to withdraw their services, as the government is actively working to secure the release of funds for the payment of their arrears.
Recently, some caterers in the Ashanti Region who are part of the government’s school feeding program went on strike on April 4, demanding payment of arrears and an increase in the feeding grant.
Alfa Siba, Head of Public Relations at the Ghana School Feeding Secretariat, assured that the funds will be released soon.
“We are engaging the relevant stakeholders and the caterers to see how best we can resolve the issue. Just last week, we paid the second term of the 2022 academic year to all the districts. So, we are appealing to the caterers to rescind their decision not to cook while we continue the engagements.”
The decision to withdraw their services by the caterers follows their earlier threat to go on strike due to the government’s failure to pay the arrears owed to them. The caterers are also demanding an increase in the daily amount paid by the government per child, from ninety-seven pesewas to three Ghana cedis. They argue that the current amount is unsustainable due to the state of the economy and the high cost of food commodities.
During a visit by Citi News to some public basic schools in Kumasi, headteachers confirmed that they are not expecting food for the pupils as the caterers have informed them that they are not cooking. Despite efforts to contact the caterers, some headteachers reported being unsuccessful in reaching them.
In an attempt to address their concerns, the caterers petitioned the Ashanti Regional Minister on April 3, 2023. However, they expressed dissatisfaction with his response, as they were ordered to leave.
Dorothy Ofori Sarpong, one of the caterers in the Ashanti region, insisted that all caterers in the region will not cook until the government addresses their concerns, speaking to Citi News.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
