Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has clarified the government’s position following the termination of all contracts under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), urging calm and emphasising the need for a smooth transition.
In an interview on Channel One TV and monitored by GhanaWeb on Thursday, May 8, 2025, she explained that although the decision comes as a shock to some, affected caterers have been aware of challenges and inconsistencies in the system.
“You are pleading for time to transition smoothly, it doesn’t mean you should just leave the system as it is. They know they have the opportunity to reapply if they are interested,” she stated.
She explained that many caterers had not been consistently fulfilling their obligations, particularly during the just-ended school term.
“Most of them were not cooking, and they are very much aware they were not cooking. Some too were cooking, but not consistently,” she noted.
Addressing complaints from some caterers who claimed to have already made purchases in anticipation of the new term, she made it clear that no compensation would be given for losses incurred.
“I sympathise with the situation, there’s no room for compensation, but for the period that they have cooked, they will be paid,” she assured.
A statement issued by the GSFP National Coordinator, Hajia Fati Forgor, on May 2, 2025, formally announced the immediate termination of all existing contracts.
“No existing caterer on the programme should cook for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year,” the statement read.
The GSFP assured that all arrears for the second term will be paid and confirmed that new recruitment guidelines will be announced as part of an overall restructuring of the program.
Meanwhile, President of the Concerned School Feeding Caterers Association, Gifty Asamoah, says members have already procured all foodstuffs for the term.
“You have seen the foodstuffs we have purchased — fish, groundnuts, and others have been bought from Ejura. The foodstuffs were to be shared among us, but we had to stop the truck after receiving the new information. We have lost a lot of money,” she lamented.
According to caterers under the School Feeding Program, they had initially decided to suspend their services after the change of government.
However, the decision was rescinded after receiving communication asking them to complete the 2024/2025 academic year.
JKB/AE
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