Government Begins Food Distribution to Schools Following Warehouse Evacuation
A government delegation, led by Dr. Clement Apaak, Member of Parliament for Builsa South, and Akatsi North MP Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, has commenced a tour of food warehouses in Tema to facilitate the evacuation and distribution of food items to schools experiencing shortages.
This initiative follows a directive by former President John Dramani Mahama to the Chief of Staff and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to evacuate food stocks held in warehouses for immediate distribution to affected schools.
Distribution Set to Begin
Speaking to TV3 during the warehouse tour, Dr. Apaak assured Ghanaians that the distribution of food items will begin as soon as the evacuation is completed.
“We will provide more details on the quantities and the itinerary for the various phases. We are hopeful that once the process starts this week, every school will have received its consignment of rice,” he said.
The distribution will cover all public secondary schools, benefiting over 900 institutions nationwide. Distribution to schools in Greater Accra begins today, while deliveries to other regions will commence on Friday, January 17, 2025. A total of 139,872 bags of rice will be supplied across the country, intended to sustain schools for a month.
Shift in Food Supply Strategy
Dr. Apaak announced a significant change in the school feeding system, revealing that the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited will no longer oversee the procurement and distribution of food items to schools. Instead, funds will be released directly to school heads, allowing them to procure food items from their preferred suppliers.
“After discussions involving the Ministry of Finance, Education Ministry, GES, and CHASS, funds have been secured and will soon be disbursed to schools to enable them to procure the needed food items directly,” Dr. Apaak explained.
This change aligns with former President Mahama’s promise to decentralize the feeding program, moving away from the previous centralized model.
Benefits of the Decentralized Model
Dr. Apaak emphasized that this new approach will improve the quality of food served to students and eliminate inefficiencies caused by intermediaries.
“With this arrangement, heads of institutions will take direct responsibility for procuring food items, ensuring students receive wholesome and nutritious meals. This also eliminates the role of middlemen, such as Buffer Stock and affiliated food suppliers, allowing schools to manage their food procurement more effectively,” he added.
Collaboration and Implementation
Officials from the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Presidency were present during the evacuation process to oversee the operation.
The government’s swift action aims to alleviate the food shortages in schools and ensure students have access to nutritious meals. By decentralizing the feeding system, the administration hopes to enhance efficiency, accountability, and the overall well-being of students across the country.