NAFCO lists 13 points to refute accusations over mackerel importation
The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has rejected claims that the government is the cause of low egg patronage by Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.
The company said it had not substituted eggs for mackerel as alleged as both have been part of SHS meals since 2017.
The response follows a Facebook post by Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch. He said an investigation conducted by his outfit on why Senior High Schools were not buying eggs showed that many schools were replacing eggs with mackerel imported from China by the government.
“In January this year, an order came from Accra that a certain company (Lamens Ventures) has been contracted by the government (don’t forget the free SHS budget was held at the Presidency) to supply imported Chinese mackerel to all SHS in Ghana” and that “Since this company started supplying the China mackerel, many schools started doing one egg a week instead of three that was done previously.”
His post further alleged that the supply of mackerel to schools had reduced egg consumption by 70% and created unemployment, especially among poultry farmers.
But the NAFCO says, “There has not been any policy that compels SHSs not to buy eggs”.
In a press release, the company has outlined 13 points to explain the possible cause of low patronage of eggs by SHSs.
Read the full post below:
PRESS STATEMENT
The attention of the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited has been drawn to a widely circulated Facebook Post originally authored by Mr Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, on a purported investigation on why Senior High Schools are not buying eggs now as it used to be the case in the period prior to January 2021.
He alleges that “In January this year, an order came from Accra that a certain company (Lamens Ventures) has been contracted by the government (don’t forget the free SHS budget was held at the Presidency), to supply imported Chinese mackerel to all SHS in Ghana” and that “Since this company started supplying the China mackerel, many schools started doing one egg a week instead of 3 that was done previously.”
The post further alleged that the supply of mackerel to schools has reduced egg consumption by 70% and created unemployment, especially among poultry farmers.
The allegations are totally false and should therefore be disregarded.
The following should clarify the issues:
1. As a deliberate policy, the government decided to use the Free SHS to support local farmers and the poultry industry.
2. Food produced in Ghana are to be sourced locally whiles all other food items not locally produced were to be imported by NAFCO Licenced Suppliers at competitive prices and supplied to schools without compromising quality and quantity.
3. Mackerel and eggs have been part of the National Approved Menu for students since September 2017 when the Free SHS programme started and it remains same till date.
4. Government decided that Mackerel be supplied by NAFCO together with 17 other food items, which are described as non-perishable foods such as Cocoa Powder, Vegetable Oil and Mackerel.
5. The schools were mandated to be in charge of the purchase of other items, described as perishables, which includes eggs, fresh fish and vegetables, therefore NAFCO has no role in the purchase of eggs since the schools are enjoined to deal directly with poultry farmers and egg suppliers.
6. Purchases under the perishables are done with a 30% budget given directly to the schools by the Ministry of Education.
7. The purchasing of the 30% quota items are strictly done by the schools with the 30% Grant for the procurement of perishable goods of which eggs are included.
8. There has NOT been any policy that compels SHS not to buy eggs. The mackerel and eggs are NOT mutually exclusive. Schools can buy eggs if they so wish, in addition to the mackerel supplied by NAFCO.
9. In the absence of the funds for perishables, School Heads use their discretion to manage the students’ menu. Poultry farmers engage the schools on a “cash basis”.
10. It is NOT the case that mackerel was included or introduced in the National Approved Menu in January 2021. It has been part since September 2017.
11. It is NOT true that mackerel replaced eggs in the National Approved Menu, thereby affecting local poultry farmers.
12. Lamens Ventures has been one of our many Licenced Suppliers since the inception of the Free SHS programme in September 2017 and not just emerging as being claimed by Mr Asare.
13. As a responsible State Agency, we will continue to avail ourselves to any individual or group desirous of appraising themselves on our mandates and operations.
Corporate Affairs Department