Caterers participating in the government’s school feeding programme in the Ashanti Region are on the brink of staging a demonstration due to the government’s failure to settle outstanding arrears spanning three academic terms.
Expressing deep disappointment and frustration, the caterers disclosed that they have not received any payments from September 2023 to June 2024, despite repeated assurances from the government.
The prolonged delay in payment has severely impacted the caterers’ operations, making it challenging for them to fulfill financial obligations, including payments to creditors who have now resorted to threatening legal action.
The dire financial situation has prompted the caterers to issue a stern ultimatum to the government, demanding that the outstanding payments be deposited into their accounts by the end of Wednesday, June 26.
They have warned of an imminent protest should their demands remain unmet, underscoring the urgency and severity of their predicament.
In a related development, a study conducted by the education think tank Africa Education Watch has highlighted a critical need for a 200 percent increase in funding for the school feeding programme to ensure the provision of quality meals to beneficiaries.
Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, emphasized that an estimated GH¢3 billion is necessary to sustain and improve the programme to effectively meet the nutritional needs of school children.
According to Asare, the failure to disburse funds as promised not only jeopardizes the livelihoods of the caterers but also threatens the continuity of a crucial educational initiative aimed at enhancing nutrition and educational outcomes for children.