According to the latest news relating to the impasse between the government and caterers of school feeding programs, there’s going to be a nationwide strike after the government failed to pay them their arrears and increase the amount per child.
The furious caterers, who came from various parts of the nation and gathered in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region, emphasized that their current situation leaves them with no choice but to lay down their tools.
According to sources, the caterers complained that they are experiencing difficult economic times as a result of the scenario during a news conference. In order to pressure the government to address their problems as soon as possible, the caterers’ leadership has urged all of their members to participate in the strike.
Speaking to the media, one of the caterers’ leaders, Gifty Asamoah, stated that they had used up all of their monies and had not heard from the government regarding when they will receive their arrears. Despite offering necessary services in schools, she alleged that school caterers do not receive the same degree of respect as other professions.
“School feeding caterers are public servants like teachers, Police, Doctors, nurses and other employees that provide state services but we are being discriminated against. Can government refuse to pay teachers for even one month, why are they doing the opposite when it comes to caterers? A contract is a contract and our human rights must be abused.”
The caterers have also threatened to embark on a nationwide demonstration if their arrears are not paid as early as possible.
School Feeding Caterers Are Dying Over Huge Debts – New Report
According to a 3News report, some members of the School Feeding Caterers Association’s inability to pay off enormous debts has seen most of them dying, literally.
Speaking with Aduanaba Kofi Asante on the GhanaAkoma evening political show on Akoma 87.9FM in Kumasi under the condition of anonymity, one of the executives of the School Feeding Caterers Association in Ashanti revealed that the government has been owing them money since the previous academic year.
“The children are being fed GH¢1 and a tax of 3 percent so we are left with GHp97 per child which is not enough and we have complained severally but nothing has been done about it. Now schools have reopened and we have to feed the children with that same amount.
“We have so many arrears and when payments are in, we are underpaid which is really bad. Most of the women are dying because of the debts they owe since you cannot go and buy something on credit again. You go in for a loan and you have to plead,” the executive member lamented.
She continued: “Let’s assume the price of rice is GH¢600. The person is going to give it to you at GH¢900 because you are buying on credit. When the government promises to pay when school reopen, they don’t pay then you are seen as a liar. So when you mention school feeding on anything you want to buy on credit you will not get it.”
