Bolgatanga, Nov. 9, GNA - Members of the Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA), a civil society organisation, have expressed shock about the alleged government's withdrawal of feeding grants to second cycle schools in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions. A press release issued in Bolgatanga by Mr. Bismark Adongo Ayorogo, President of NORPRA claimed that cheques deposited in the various accounts of the schools last October have been withdrawn by the government. According to NORPRA, an organisation working to promote equal justice and fairness in the Upper East Region, the action by the government was very unfortunate.

The release said the decision could create public perception that government was not committed to it's pledged of bridging the development gap between the North and the South.

It said during the first three months in power government promised as part of its northern development

agenda to increase and release the feeding grants in time. "We (NORPRA) are therefore surprised by the turn of events where schools have been re-opened for more than a month in the Northern Regions and nothing is forthcoming."

It pointed out that the situation could force the schools to close down for lack of feeding grants as it happened in 2008.

The release therefore called on the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to as a matter of urgency come out to explain the reason for the withdrawal of the cheques and taken steps immediately to provide the feeding grants.