School Feeding Caterers in Ghana Start Receiving Delayed Payments for Third Term

Caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme have started receiving their long-awaited payments for the third term, marking a significant milestone in efforts to resolve ongoing delays in the initiative.

The update was confirmed by Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi, National President of the School Feeding Caterers Association, who credited the disbursement to a fulfilled promise by the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman.

In an interview with Citi News, Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi explained that although the official payment rollout began on December 31 at around 6 p.m., some caterers—especially in rural areas—have experienced delays in accessing their funds.

Thankfully, they kept their word and made the payment on 31st December around 6 p.m.,” she said. “Some caterers, particularly those in urban areas with access to banks equipped with E-zwich machines, were able to withdraw their funds as early as January 1. Unfortunately, others have experienced delays due to various factors, including the holiday schedule and the limited banking infrastructure in rural areas.

She further elaborated that with January 1 being a national holiday, most banks remained closed, preventing many caterers from confirming their payments. Those in underserved areas may need to wait until January 2 for banking operations to resume.

Despite the logistical challenges, the association views this development as a positive step toward restoring trust and efficiency in the programme. However, Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi emphasized that the larger issue of outstanding arrears—some dating back to 2019—still needs urgent government attention.

These payments are for the third term of the current academic year, but we are still owed arrears from as far back as 2019,” she pointed out. “We hope the government will soon take steps to clear these debts, which have placed a significant burden on caterers, many of whom have had to rely on loans to sustain the feeding programme.

The partial settlement has brought temporary relief to caterers, many of whom have publicly voiced their concerns about prolonged financial strain. The School Feeding Caterers Association continues to advocate for a more structured and timely payment schedule to avoid future disruptions in the programme.

The Ghana School Feeding Programme plays a critical role in delivering daily meals to thousands of schoolchildren, and the effective operation of this programme is crucial for both nutrition and school attendance, particularly in low-income communities.