According to Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi, National President of the School Feeding Caterers Association, caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Program have begun to receive their past-due payments for the third term.

This development comes after Dakoa Newman, the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, pledged to pay the arrears.

Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi told Citi News that although some caterers have been able to access their money, others are experiencing difficulties because of bank holidays and the scarcity of banking services in remote locations.

Fortunately, they fulfilled their promise and paid at approximately 6 p.m. on December 31. Because certain banks have e-zwitch machines outdoors, some caterers were able to withdraw the funds on January 1.

Others, though, have complained about having trouble getting the money. Hopefully, everyone will get their alerts before January 2nd. The fact that today is a holiday is mostly to blame for the delay, and caterers in remote locations without convenient access to banks could have to wait until regular business days to verify receipt," she said.


Additionally, Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi expressed optimism that the 2019 caterer arrears would be settled quickly.

On December 31st, I received a call from the chief accountant about the 2019 arrears. On January 2nd, I will meet with them to talk more about this. "We are hopeful that we will hear good news next week," she continued.

Context

The Ghana School Feeding Program's recent payments to caterers come after months of resentment and demonstrations.

Numerous caterers protested at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection on December 30 in order to seek payment for arrears spanning two academic terms in 2023 and 2024.

The caterers, who had come from all across the nation, were disappointed by the government's constant hold-ups.

The caterers said they had not received any payments, even though the Controller and Accountant General's Department had assured them that monies had been issued to the Ministry.

The financial burden on members who pre-financed meals with the hope of prompt recovery was highlighted by the president of the School Feeding Caterers Association, who called the situation "dreadful."

She pointed out that despite repeated promises from the government to pay their bills, deadlines in August, September, and November all went by without any payment.

Since many caterers were under increasing pressure from creditors, their choice to protest was a last resort. After the administration promised payment by December 31 in a statement without an official signature, they demanded responsibility and transparency. The caterers, who were dubious of the claim, expressed their annoyance by pointing to years of broken promises.