The National Chairperson of the Concern Parents of Free Senior High School, Mr. Benjamin Oteng Marfo, has urged the government to allow the various Senior High Schools in the country to fend for themselves so far as the buying of foodstuffs are concerned rather than depending on the National Buffer Stock Company.
According to Mr. Marfo, “some of the schools in Techiman or different towns have their suppliers from far away from their locale and that also compounds on the challenges of the Free SHS Policy”.
He said the government can still use the rationale behind the establishment of the National Buffer stock to get food suppliers within the Techiman township and other communities to feed schools within their catchment area “instead of waiting for someone from Accra to provide for schools in Techiman”.
The National Food Suppliers Association says it will be left with no option but to resume its picketing if the government fails to honour its promise to pay them their money beginning July 17.
The Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong on Friday, July 7 assured that payment processes for food suppliers will commence on Monday, July 17.
Prior to this, members of the National Food Suppliers Association had picketed the National Food Buffer Stock Company for four days to demand their money for food items supplied to senior high schools across the country.
Speaking on Classic FM, Mr. Oteng Marfo, stated that “Ghanaians parents are very proud of the free SHS policy and we want the government to put in measures that can protect the policy for the deprived communities, everything we do in Ghana is just based in Accra and it is not the best.”
“Techiman for instance, we grow yams and maize but you get suppliers from Accra or Tamale supplier maize or yams for schools in Techiman.” He explained.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com/Clement Blankson
