The Government of Ghana has paid the first term arrears of caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) in all 16 regions, the Programme’s National Secretariat has announced.
According to a statement signed by Siiba Alfa, Head of Public Relations, the total number of cooking days for the first term of the 2023/2024 academic year was 58, but four days were deducted due to official communication instructing caterers to use those days to clean up their kitchen environment.
Consequently, caterers were paid for 54 cooking days at the rate of GHC1.20 per child per every school going day.
“The payment is according to the numbers of days they were able to feed beneficiary pupils during the term,” the statement explained.
However, the National Secretariat has received complaints from some caterers across the regions over alleged underpayments resulting from the recent payment.
The Secretariat has directed affected caterers to report to their Regional Coordinators for prompt redress, and assured that the issues would be thoroughly investigated.
“We urge the caterers to remain calm whilst we make the necessary efforts to address the issues,” the statement said.
Siiba Alfa commended the caterers for their endurance, patience, and cooperation over the delays in the payment of arrears, and applauded their dedication and selfless services to the beneficiary children.
“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our cherished caterers, and we are committed to ensuring that their concerns are addressed promptly,” Alfa said.
