School Feeding Secretariat dismisses claims caterers will not be paid even if they cook

Management of Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has described as untrue claims that caterers who continue to cook food for beneficiary pupils will not be paid by the government.

The secretariat says such claims are “misconception and misinformation” aimed at discouraging the caterers under the programme from doing their work.

Some of the caterers under the programme have been on strike for a week and half now, demanding payment of arears owned them and an increment in the feeding grant per head.  

A statement signed by Head of Public Relations, Siiba Alfa, assured the caterers they will be paid and that the request for an increment in the feeding grants is being worked on.

“Management has noted your request for increment in the feeding grant and is working assiduously on the matter. We are also working hard to settle all arrears, especially 3^rd term of 2021 arrears within the shortest possible time. We express our profound appreciation to all the caterers who are providing meals to our beneficiary pupils in spite of the delay in the release of their arrears”, part of the Wednesday, May 25 statement read.

According to the release, only caterers who fail to cook will not be paid.

Read full statement

URGENT NOTICE TO ALL GSFP CATERERS

The attention of the Management of Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has been drawn to some misconception and misinformation by some persons who are discouraging caterers from cooking for this 2^nd term of 2022, claiming Government will not pay them for their services.

We want to state emphatically that:

1. Provision of meal for 2^nd term of 2022 commenced officially on 16^th May, 2022 and all GSFP caterers are expected to render cooking services accordingly (Letter dated 10^th May 2022 referred)
2. Government will at all times honour its obligation of paying caterers for meals provided for pupils in every academic term.
3. Caterers who will cook for the pupils, including this 2^nd term of 2022, will receive their payment as expected
4. Only caterers who will fail to cook for the term will not be paid; and those who will fail to cook for a number of days shall suffer deduction of non-cooking days.
5. It is therefore NOT TRUE that caterers who will cook for beneficiary children will not be paid.
6. Consequently, we urge all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to ensure that all caterers are cooking in their respective jurisdiction as directed GSFP

Please note: Management has noted your request for increment in the feeding grant and is working assiduously on the matter. We are also working hard to settle all arrears especially 3^rd term of 2021 arrears within the shortest possible time. We express our profound appreciation to all the caterers who are providing meals to our beneficiary pupils in spite of the delay in the release of their arrears.