Krachi East caterers threaten to halt school meals over unpaid allowances

Thousands of pupils in the Krachi East Municipality are facing possible disruption to their school meals as caterers and cooks under the Ghana School Feeding Programme threaten to halt services over several months of unpaid allowances.

The cooks, who prepare daily meals for pupils in public basic schools across the municipality, say they have continued working for months without receiving their payments.

Some of them, including Madam Mariama Adisah, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that they have been relying on personal savings and loans to keep the programme running while also supporting their own families.

She explained that repeated patience has worn thin, noting that many cooks borrowed money to continue feeding pupils who depend on the meals. She warned that if payments are not made soon, they may have no choice but to stop cooking.

According to the cooks, several discussions with programme caterers regarding the delayed payments have only resulted in assurances, with no actual release of funds.

They have therefore issued what they describe as a final warning, saying they will withdraw their services if outstanding allowances are not paid immediately.

Some caterers, speaking anonymously to the GNA, also confirmed that they have not received government payments since their engagement under the programme.

They said the delays have placed heavy financial pressure on their operations, forcing them to depend on loans, credit purchases, and personal funds to keep school feeding running.

Food suppliers, they added, now demand cash upfront due to unpaid debts, making it increasingly difficult to access essential ingredients.

One caterer said they had been using personal funds to sustain the programme in order to avoid disrupting pupils’ meals, but the situation has now become unsustainable as traders refuse to extend credit.

Rising food prices and transport costs have further worsened their financial burden, leaving many operators indebted to suppliers and financial institutions.

The caterers warned that without urgent release of funds, they may be forced to suspend cooking services, a move that could disrupt academic activities and affect thousands of pupils.

They are therefore calling on the government, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the National School Feeding Secretariat to urgently release outstanding funds to prevent a breakdown of the programme in the municipality.

Source: GNA