SHS food suppliers to picket at MOE over 12-month debt

The National Food Suppliers Association of Ghana (NAFSAG) has announced that it would stage a demonstration at the premises of the Ministry of Education if the debt owed them by the Ministry is not settled within 14 days.

In a press release signed by its spokesperson, Kwaku Amedume, on March 26, 2024, NAFSAG bemoaned the lack of fairness and honesty in the payment of funds to the suppliers, which has resulted in arrears owed by the Ministry of Education.

“The membership of the National Food Suppliers Association wishes to serve notice to the Ministry of Education, all media houses, and the general public of its intended picketing at the premises of the Ministry of Education if arrears owed to members are not paid in fourteen days.”

“This decision has become imminent as a result of the lack of equity and transparency in the disbursement of funds to suppliers,” the statement said.

The suppliers revealed that since February 2023, the government has not made any payment to the National Food Buffer Stock Company, while only a few people under the Ghana Commodity Exchange were paid by the government through the MOE.

NAFSAG argued that the non-payment of the bills by the MOE is intentional to obstruct the activities of the National Food Buffer Stock Company.

“We suspect a deliberate and unconscionable attempt by the Ministry of Education to frustrate the operational activities of the National Food Buffer Stock Company to the disadvantage and chagrin of the suppliers.”

Below is the full statement from NAFSAG