Deputy National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hajia Safia Mohammed
The Deputy National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hajia Safia Mohammed, has criticised the government of President John Dramani Mahama for terminating the contracts of school feeding caterers just days before the reopening of schools.
Hajia Safia, a former Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, expressed concern over the timing of the decision, describing it as unfair and inconsiderate—particularly toward women who have no political affiliations.
According to her, the termination occurred merely three days before schools were set to reopen, at a time when most caterers had already purchased cooking materials, including perishable items such as tomatoes and onions, in preparation for the new term.
“This is a clear case of injustice,” she said during an interview on Movement TV on May 20, 2025.
“We are all Ghanaians, and this action is most unfair, especially to women. We told the transition team that the academic calendar would end in August and that the women were still under contract. They accepted it, yet this happened.”
“School was scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, and the termination letter came on Friday. If you take out Saturday and Sunday, just imagine—only one working day’s notice,” she lamented.
She further stated that more than 34,000 women, including single mothers, widows, and other vulnerable individuals, had invested heavily in food items in anticipation of cooking for schoolchildren.
“These women went to the market, bought ingredients—tomatoes, onions, and everything needed—only to be told they’ve been removed from the programme three days before reopening. That is a serious financial burden placed on innocent women,” she added.
Hajia Safia emphasised that under the NPP administration, former President Nana Akufo-Addo allowed caterers to complete their one-year contract terms before any decisions regarding renewal or termination were made.
“The NPP did not do the same. We waited for them to finish their contracts, paid them fully, and then made decisions. But under the NDC, not only have the contracts been terminated abruptly, but the women are also still owed payments for the second term,” she alleged.
She called on the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that citizens, especially women, are treated with fairness and respect.
Meanwhile, the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) Secretariat has confirmed the termination of contracts for all caterers across the country.
A press statement dated May 2, 2025, and signed by the National Coordinator, Hajia Fati Forgor, stated that the termination takes immediate effect.
“Please be informed that the contracts of all caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) nationwide have been terminated with immediate effect,” the statement read.
It directed that no existing caterer should provide meals for the upcoming third term of the 2024/2025 academic year.
The statement further assured caterers that all outstanding arrears for the second term would be paid in due course.
The Secretariat explained that the termination forms part of an ongoing restructuring exercise aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme.
AM/KA