The government has begun the distribution of food supplies to senior High Schools across the country as part of its bold steps to address the food shortages that have hit the schools, thus affecting teaching and learning.
The Ghana Armed Forces is spearheading the distribution of the food supplies following an order from President John Dramani Mahama to release food from warehouses in Tema.
President John Mahama had earlier ordered the distribution of food meant for victims of last year’s drought in the northern part of the country to be redirected to schools.
Former Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak, made these known at Tema on Thursday after visiting Tema with representatives from the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and the Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET).
President John Mahama had earlier ordered the distribution of food meant for victims of last year’s drought in the northern part of the country to be redirected to schools.
This initiative follows concerns over food shortages in schools and aims to provide immediate relief to students and staff.
Dr Apak gave the assurance that “at end of next week, all schools should receive the quantities of rice they deserve, so we are prioritising,” he said.
“The trucks have started moving. The slight delay was due to awaiting detailed information from the Ministry of Education and the GES, regarding breakdowns of quantities, locations, and contact persons. Security arrangements were also essential, especially given recent instances of cargo attacks.”
Dr Apaak confirmed that distribution to Greater Accra schools would begin immediately, with schools close to Accra receiving their allocations.
“Schools far away from the capital will have their supplies dispatched over the coming days,” he added.
Additionally, he noted that the military and police trucks are providing logistical support to ensure the safe and timely delivery of these supplies.
While the current effort addresses immediate food shortages, Dr Apaak acknowledged the need for sustainable solutions. He noted that the Chief of Staff, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Education, is working to allocate resources that will empower headmasters to independently procure food supplies in the future.
“This is a short-term measure. In the medium to long term, the processes initiated by the Chief of Staff and the relevant ministries should enable headmasters to procure food for their schools. We expect the requisite resources to be available within a week,” he added.
Dr Apaak also referenced former President John Mahama’s pledge to implement a sustainable food supply plan for schools, emphasising its potential to resolve such crises permanently.
This follows the widespread reports of food shortages in various senior high schools, forcing the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) to appeal to parents and guardians to supplement their children’s food supplies, as the National Food Suppliers Association cites its inability to deliver food to schools.
The suppliers blame the situation on the absence of a clear payment plan and uncertainty over whether the current administration will honour arrangements made by the previous government.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS), Primus Baro, said the government would by the close of Friday was expected to release funds to support the feeding of senior high school students for 31 days only.
According to him, the fund is an emergency intervention by the government, following the food shortage faced by the various SHSs nationwide. —myjoyonline
