Addressing Food Supply Challenges in Senior High Schools

Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, emphasizes the importance of clarity for suppliers of foodstuffs to senior high schools participating in the School Feeding Programme. Concerns about future contract stability have contributed to food shortages in these institutions.

Mr. Asare highlights that the challenges being faced in school feeding are not just about liquidity but also about the uncertainty suppliers feel regarding their contracts under the new administration. He believes that a clear and reassuring statement from the government could significantly alleviate these concerns.

“An official assurance from the new government indicating that current contracts will remain intact and that suppliers will receive timely payments would greatly comfort those involved in the food supply chain,” Asare remarked. This kind of communication has the potential to restore confidence among suppliers, enabling them to resume consistent food deliveries to schools.

Furthermore, Asare noted that such reassurance from the administration led by John Mahama could lead to a more stable environment in schools, facilitating a return to normalcy and ensuring that students receive adequate nourishment.

He stresses the need for both immediate and long-term solutions, stating, “While we require urgent attention to the suppliers’ concerns, we must also consider efforts to address liquidity issues within the system.”

In light of these challenges, the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) has called upon parents and guardians to lend their support in addressing the feeding issues as students return to school. They recognize that in certain regions, the food supply is particularly strained, and community involvement could play a crucial role in ensuring that students receive the meals they need.