A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Eric Amoako Twum says the grieving caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme have legitimate concerns and the government need to heed to their calls.
His comments follow protesting caterers in the Ashanti Region demanding amongst other things, a review of the programme and unpaid arrears
Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, Eric Amoako Twum sympathized with the caterers and further urged the government and proponents of the programme to reach an agreement with them.
He indicated that certain modalities have been affected as a result of inflation, price increments which permits a review of the programme.
“If someone who provides a service, especially for children over a period decides to ask for a review of the modalities of the contract, in terms of reviewing the prices up and all of those things….in principle, I won’t have a challenge with that because over a period you have issues of inflation and prices and all of those things. I don’t think that anybody within the government setup would also have a challenge with people within their particular sector asking for a review upwards,” He implied.
Mr. Amoako Twum admitted the government’s awareness of the issue, indicating that it is on the table of the Ministry of Education where suggestive measures are being employed, howbeit, he indicated that the government will welcome the idea of reviewing the School Feeding Programme Scheme.
The Editor-in-Chief of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., who was also a panelist on the show insisted that the entire education system needed an overhauling.
“But, it is not just about School Feeding, it is about the whole educational system. We are so happy pretending that something is being done, and yet what is being done is so shabby.”
Following a despicable sight of a meal distributed to pupils at the Ohwimase Anglican Basic School, Mr. Amoako Twum rebuked caterers involved in that action.
“Regardless of what the amount is, I think sometimes we also have to be a bit objective in this conversation. What you saw there, even if it was a ladle full of soup, nobody can justify that kind of meal and the reason is that the money is not enough… and…For me, we have to be very blunt. The point I’m making here is that, if you are saying that the money that you have been allocated to is not enough, it’s not a justification for churning out this kind of soup and food for children.”
However, he stated that the scheme needs a jaw-jaw discussion with the relevant stakeholders to re-evaluate it for a better rollout.
Background
Caterers on the School Feeding Programme in Ashanti Region have withdrawn their services over unpaid arrears.
The caterers are expecting arrears for the third term in the previous academic year to be paid before they resume work.
They have threatened to throw away the meals cooked by colleagues who may go contrary to the decision.
“Our reason is simple, during Covid-19, we cooked but the government didn’t make full payment. We have been complaining since but to no avail. Currently, we’ve cooked for students for three terms and they have still not made full payment,” she said.
“Meanwhile, we all testify to how food prices shot up last year, yet the government has not reviewed the cost per child. They are still paying ¢0.97 per child and in all that, they are not paying in full.
“So now we can’t cook anymore, we are demanding that third-term payment before we cook otherwise as school reopens tomorrow, nobody is going to cook.”
By: Leonora Enyonam Annoh | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
