The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communicator and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng, has confirmed that GH¢50 million has been disbursed to senior high schools across the country to address outstanding arrears in the school feeding program.
This intervention, announced during an interview on TV3, is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted feeding services in schools. According to Kwarteng, the funds were released this week following consultations with the Minister of Education.
“During my tenure as PRO, I have had the opportunity to review certain documents. When it comes to arrears in state institutions, it is a common thing. Thus, because headteachers have to first get supplies from the suppliers in the areas of perishable food items. Then they do settle them later. So, the phenomenon of arrears is quite common in our practice. But yesterday, through my interaction with the Minister of Education, he informed me that just this week, an amount of GH¢50 million has been disbursed. This is to enable schools to purchase their food items to aid the feeding system,” Kwarteng stated.
This latest disbursement comes amid longstanding challenges with the SHS feeding program, which has faced repeated delays in payments to food suppliers. Earlier in 2024, protests erupted over arrears exceeding GH¢200 million, with suppliers warning of potential food shortages. In April, the government responded with a GH¢150 million payment to alleviate the debt burden.
Kwarteng emphasized that despite financial hurdles, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to sustaining the free SHS initiative through timely financial interventions.
Story by: JisLord Naaa Ablorh
