Education Ministry moves to resolve food shortage in some SHSs

Following reports of food shortage in some Senior High Schools across the country, the Ministry Education has taken steps to address it.

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Sector Minister, met with the leadership of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Schools on Sunday to discuss the issue.

A brief statement released by the Education Ministry after the meeting said, “The issue has been resolved, and all affected schools are expected to receive full supplies latest by Tuesday, 12th July 2022.”

The Conference of Heads of Assisted Schools in the Upper West Region last week warned that Senior High Schools in the region may soon shut down if the government fails to supply them with adequate foodstuff to feed students.

“It came out that the food suppliers contracted by Buffer Stock Company and those local suppliers contacted to help out are all refusing to supply due to non-payment of outstanding monies owed for food supplied to the schools. This has led to serious food shortages in all the schools in the region. In fact, an assessment of the situation indicated that most schools cannot go beyond one week if nothing urgent is done about it,” a statement from the Upper West branch of CHASS complained.

The President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbornu took on the government regarding the food shortages.

Mr Carbonu said the current centralized system that authorize only the National Buffer Stock to distribute food to Senior High Schools has largely contributed to food shortages in various schools.

He believes a decentralization of food distribution to Senior High Schools, will address these challenges.

“Broken walls cannot even be repaired because you have denied the schools of resources and centralized it with Buffer Stock. The prices for Buffer Stock are inflated above what is on the market, so the government is unable to pay.” he  told CitiNews