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Caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme have rejected the proposed 20 pesewas increment on the current one-cedi cost per meal for school pupils.
The aggrieved workers declared a nationwide strike in April demanding payment of all arrears and an increase of 3 cedis, 50 pesewas in the cost per meal.
At a press briefing on Sunday to address the challenge Gender Minister Lariba Zuwera Abudu said among others that a 1 cedi 20 pesewas cost per meal has been proposed effective 2023.
“I want to ensure that the auditing and due diligence is done. It takes time because the numbers are voluminous so you need time for the auditors to go through and make sure that every caterer who has cooked has been captured and will be paid. They have to bear with us when their monies are not coming in good time. Certainly, we will pay them and next week we are paying,” she said.
But a leading member of the school feeding caterers Dorothy Sarpong called out the sector minister as she accuses the government of acting in bad faith.
Madam Dorothy disclosed that the caterers will not be moved by empty promises this time as they plan to stage a planned naked demonstration in the national capital to demand a presidential intervention.
“This is not good news. So, is the minister telling us that she is now responding to us after hearing our planned naked demonstration at the presidency? Or is it because of the country director of the World Bank’s threats to withdraw funding for the programme that is why she is coming out now?
Our initial 3 cedis 50 pesewas feeding grant was a proposal. They could have convinced us with 2 cedis and we could manage with it. But how can you use 1 cedi 20 pesewas to cook better food for these children? It can’t be possible”, she fumed.
As we speak, we have been given the permit. We wanted to march to the presidency but the ban on noisemaking is at bay and we wanted to meet at Obra Spot or Black Star Square. The police command in Accra has assured us of protection”, Dorothy indicated.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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