Caterers under Ghana’s School Feeding Programme are urging President John Dramani Mahama to reverse the abrupt termination of their contracts, calling the move a betrayal of campaign promises and a threat to their livelihoods.
The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) announced on May 2 that all existing catering contracts were cancelled with immediate effect. The directive instructed caterers not to provide meals when public schools reopen for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year.
While the GSFP claims the decision is part of a restructuring process, caterers say it has left them financially exposed, with many having stocked food and taken out loans in anticipation of the new term.
Nana Otu Sakyi-Amo, President of the Ghana School Feeding Caterers Association, said the move contradicts President Mahama’s earlier pledges to support the programme. “He promised increased feeding grants and protection for caterers. While the grants were raised, this cancellation is not what we were promised,” she said.
The GSFP has assured that all outstanding arrears would be paid and new recruitment guidelines will be issued. But the caterers say they need immediate intervention to avoid collapse of the programme.
“By Monday, if we don’t hear anything from government, the kitchens will remain shut,” one caterer warned.
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