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Spencer Wan Blog of Tuesday, 7 January 2025

Source: Eric Afatsao

There is a food shortage at senior high schools, and parents are asked to help their children by providing food.

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Richard Akumbase, chairman of the region’s branch of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), has noted that since the introduction of the Ghana Commodity Exchange in 2021—which replaced the previous system managed by Buffer Stock—food supplies to schools have become inconsistent. According to him, instead of the 18 different food items schools were supposed to receive, only five or fewer are often delivered.

“Previously, Buffer Stock used to supply the food items. Then in 2021, they introduced the Ghana Commodity Exchange and another body responsible for supplying food. Since then, the food supply has been very erratic. Instead of the 18 food items they are supposed to supply to schools, we now receive no more than five,” he explained. “Usually, the suppliers focus on food items they find advantageous in terms of price and availability, and they just deliver those.”

This development, he said, has forced schools to adjust their menus, serving what is available rather than following a set meal plan. “Because of this, we’ve not been able to follow the menu we’ve planned for our schools. We have to provide the students with whatever is available, not necessarily what the menu prescribes,” he stated.

In addition to the limited variety, Mr. Akumbase highlighted the difficulties schools face in acquiring perishable items, which often need to be purchased directly from local markets. This has placed an additional burden on school staff, who must source extra ingredients to prepare meals from the raw food items provided. While efforts have been made to manage the situation, the lack of timely deliveries continues to significantly affect schools’ ability to properly feed students.

Despite these challenges, Mr. Akumbase noted that there has been some progress. The government reportedly issued a cheque last Friday to help alleviate the immediate challenges, although the amount was insufficient to meet the full needs of the schools. He explained that the funds are expected to arrive at the schools in the coming days, but it remains unclear whether they will be enough to provide all the necessary ingredients.

“We were told that last Friday, they issued the cheque. While it may not clear all the debts, it will at least sustain us for now. We are hopeful the funds will reflect in the schools’ accounts today. As implementers, we will do our best to manage the situation,” he said. “I won’t say we have food in the quantities we need, but we do have some that we can manage for the time being.”

He emphasized that while the situation is not fully resolved, there is hope that food supplies will improve in the coming week. However, Mr. Akumbase urged parents to remain supportive by providing additional food for their children, as the schools may still fall short of meeting students’ full nutritional needs.

This issue is part of a series of similar complaints from school heads, who have previously raised concerns about irregularities in the food supply system.

Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga