President of the Ghanaian Caterers Association, Nana Otu Sakyi-Amo, has called on the government to prevent political interference in the management of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).
Speaking in an interview on Peace FM, Nana Otu Sakyi-Amo emphasized that the programme should be handled by professionals rather than politicians, noting that involving experts would improve the quality of meals served to students and ensure timely payments to caterers.
Her remarks follow the recent announcement by the GSFP Secretariat terminating the contracts of all caterers under the programme across the country.
In a statement dated May 2, 2025, the Secretariat instructed that no current caterer should provide meals for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year.
“Please be informed that contracts of all caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) nationwide have been terminated with immediate effect. Accordingly, no existing caterer on the programme should cook for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year,” the statement read.
The GSFP Secretariat, however, assured caterers that outstanding arrears for the second term would be paid in due course, noting that the termination is part of a broader restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing the programme’s efficiency and overall impact.
“As part of its ongoing restructuring exercise, the GSFP Secretariat will soon announce the modalities for the recruitment of new caterers,” it added.
In response to the termination, the School Feeding Caterers Association has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to reverse the decision, arguing that the abrupt move contradicts assurances made during his presidential campaign and threatens their livelihoods.
Association President Nana Otu Sakyi-Amo expressed deep disappointment, describing the decision as sudden and distressing, therefore recalling that President Mahama had promised to support caterers by increasing feeding grants and ensuring timely payments.
While acknowledging that the grants have been increased, she said the cancellation of contracts runs counter to the president’s commitments, noting many caterers had already taken loans and stocked food in preparation for the new school term, which begins on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Nana Sakyi-Amo emphasized that without urgent government intervention, the school feeding programme could be severely disrupted, adding that caterers had expected their contracts to run until August.
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Source: Comfort Sweety Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
