With just days left until the July 13 deadline, heads of Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Upper East Region are facing growing uncertainty over the future of their food procurement responsibilities.
The temporary policy allowing schools to locally source food items for students—introduced to address severe challenges under the centralized supply system—could be reversed, leaving school administrators in suspense.
The decentralized procurement system, implemented as a stopgap measure, has been widely praised for improving food availability and quality in SHSs.
Richard Akumbase, Upper East Regional Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), confirmed in an interview with A1 Radio that the current arrangement has significantly reduced food shortages.
“The local procurement approach has worked well for us. Students are fed better, and delays have been minimized,” he stated.
Under the existing policy, school heads receive GHS 7.50 per boarding student and GHS 3.00 per day student to purchase food from local markets. This flexibility has allowed schools to source fresh produce efficiently while supporting regional farmers and vendors.
However, with no official communication from the government on whether the system will continue, anxiety is mounting.
“We are in suspense,” Akumbase admitted. “If the government reverts to the old centralized system, the previous challenges—delays, shortages, and poor-quality supplies—could return.” Many school heads fear that a sudden policy reversal would disrupt meal planning just as the new academic term approaches.
Stakeholders are now urging the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to provide immediate clarity. “We need a decision now to plan effectively,” Akumbase emphasized.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
