Several caterers in the Ashanti Region who were part of the government’s school food programme withdrew their services after school reopened on Tuesday, April 4.
The caterers threatened to lay down their tools when the government failed to pay debts owed to them.
The caterers, who are also asking for an increase in the amount the government pays per child daily from 97 pesewas to three Ghana cedis, claim that the current amount is unsustainable due to the current situation of the economy and the high cost of food items.
Head teachers at certain public basic schools visited by OilCity Radio in Kumasi acknowledged that they are not expecting to receive meals for their students under the government’s school feeding programme on Tuesday since the caterers have notified them that they will not be cooking.
Some of the principals also stated that multiple attempts to contact their schools’ caterers had been futile.
The caterers petitioned the Ashanti Regional Minister on Monday, 3rd April 2023, in an attempt to persuade authorities to address their problems, but they were dissatisfied with his response.
Dorothy Ofori Sarpong, a caterer in the Ashanti area, told OilCity Radio that all caterers in the region are not cooking until the government addresses their issues.
