President of the National Association of School Feeding Caterers, Charlotte Asante, has confirmed that they have received payments for all of their outstanding arrears, except those for the second term of 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, while delivering the 2023 Mid-Year Budget review on Monday, July 31, revealed that the government had paid all arrears of caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).
He said that government will continue to sustain social protection programmes to protect the poor and the vulnerable.
“We have also settled all arrears owed to caterers under the programme for the second and third terms of the 2022 academic year; and the first term of 2023,” the finance minister said.
According to Ms Charlotte, the caterers will likely receive the 2023 arrears this week, remarking that the payments have been consistent.
“When it comes to our financial challenges, I think that we still have some few outstanding, which I know payments should have been made last week. I don’t know what happened. Maybe this week, they will start paying the 2023 2nd term arrears and other outstanding slides for 2019.
“What the minister said about our outstanding being paid. What I know is that we had a few meetings, and the outcome was that they will be paying for 3rd term 2022 and 1st term 2023. That one has been done, but the 2023 2nd term is yet to be paid. I’m telling you that maybe this week, payments will be made. When we receive the money this week, we will let the media know. Payments have been consistent for the first time in the history of school feeding, and we are hoping it continues,” she stated.
Caterers across the country in the last few months complained about the arrears owed them by the government.
They vowed not to cook for the schoolchildren until the monies owed were paid.
They also demanded an increase in the amount paid per child from GH¢1 to GH¢3.50.