Ashanti Region: School feeding caterers threaten strike due to unpaid arrears.

Caterers participating in the government’s school feeding programme in the Ashanti Region are threatening to demonstrate due to the government’s failure to settle outstanding arrears for three academic terms.

Expressing disappointment and frustration, the caterers stated they have not received any payments from September 2023 to June 2024, despite repeated promises from the government.

They highlighted that this situation has severely impacted their operations, preventing them from paying their creditors, some of whom have threatened legal action against them.

The caterers have issued an ultimatum, demanding that the government ensures the owed payments are deposited into their accounts by the end of Wednesday, June 26, or face protest actions.

A study by the education think tank, Africa Education Watch, indicated that a 200% increase in funding is necessary to maintain the quality of food provided in the school feeding programme.

Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, emphasized that an estimated GH¢3 billion is required to sustain the programme effectively