Schools' Food Caterers Are Dying from Debt, Says Association

According to the School Feeding Caterers Association, its members' inability to pay off enormous debts is causing them to pass away.

Speaking with Aduanaba Kofi Asante on the GhanaAkoma evening political show on Akoma 87.9FM in Kumasi under the condition of anonymity, one of the executives of the School Feeding Caterers Association in Ashanti revealed that the government has been owing them money since the previous academic year.

"The children are receiving GHp1 in food assistance, plus a 3% tax, leaving us with GHp97 per child, which is insufficient. We have brought up this issue numerous times, but nothing has been done about it.

Since the schools have reopened, we must continue to provide the kids with the same amount of food.

"When funds do come through, we are underpaid, which is particularly problematic because we have so many arrears.

You are viewed as a liar if the government pledges to pay when the schools resume.

You will therefore not be able to buy anything on credit when you mention school nutrition.

The caterers are yet to begin operations three weeks after school resumed, which has had an impact on attendance at several elementary schools in Ashanti Region.

Visits to some of Kumasi's elementary schools revealed that none of the schools had caterers on staff.

Schoolchildren begged the authorities to pay the caterers so that they could provide food for the students.