We’ll pay you next week, gov’t shifts the goalpost in standoff with School Feeding Caterers
After not honouring the promise to pay the arrears of caterers under the school feeding program this week, the government has pleaded again with the caterers to allow for it to settle their arrears next week.
Caterers under the school feeding program embarked on industrial action due to the government’s failure to pay them.
They complained that the situation has continued for two terms now, they have not received their monies, and they say this is collapsing their businesses.
The caterers want an upward adjustment in their allocation from 93 pesewas per child to GH¢3.00, due to the high cost of food items and the current economic situation in the country which is making it impossible for them to feed the pupils well.
Last week, the government assured that financial clearance had been given for the caterers to be paid this week.
But Head of Public Relations of the Ghana School Feeding Secretariat, Alfa Siba during an interview with Accra-based Citi FM said the caterers should expect payment next week instead.
“It’s true, the caterers have still not been paid. But by the close of next week, it is very likely that they will be paid. The first timeline we gave was based on assurance. But the week has already ended. So by the close of next week, it’s possible they will be paid. There is a general challenge the country is facing with the economy,” he said.
This is not the first time the caterers are demanding an upward adjustment in the allocation.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, 2021 was criticized by a section of the caterers for failing to address their concerns.
They said, increasing the allocation to GH¢3 will ensure that they are able to provide quality and adequate meals for pupils.
The programme is an initiative of the comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme Pillar 3, which aims at enhancing food security and reducing hunger in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (MDGs) on hunger, poverty and malnutrition.
Currently, the government provides 93 pesewas for a child per day for a plate of food.
The amount is considered inadequate to provide an adequate and healthy diet for child development.
