Madam Charlotte Asante, President of the National Association of School Feeding Caterers Association, confirmed that they had received all of their payments, with the exception of those for the second term of 2023.
Her confirmation comes after Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta told parliament on Monday, July 31, 2023, that all arrears owed to the Caterers had been paid.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Addo has disclosed that all their arrears owed to caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) have had paid.
He disclosed this when he delivered the 2023 Mid-Year Budget review.
Mr. Ofori-Atta said the government will also initiate steps to sustain social protection programmes to protect the poor and the vulnerable.
“Under the LEAP programme, Government disbursed a total of GH¢169.95 million as at June 2023 to 346,019 households comprising 1,533,748 individuals. This includes the increase of the monthly grant to beneficiary households from GH¢32.00 to GH¢64.00 for one-member household and GH¢38.00 to GH¢76.00 for two-member households. Our target under this programme period is to reach about 8 percent of the population, that is 2.5 million people.
“Under the Ghana School Feeding Programme, coverage increased considerably from 1,671,777 beneficiaries in 2016 to 3,801,491 beneficiaries by June 2023. The feeding grants cost per meal, per child, per day increased from GH¢1.00 to GH¢1.20 for the 2023 academic year. We have also settled all arrears owed to caterers under the programme for the second and third terms of the 2022 academic year; and the first term of 2023.
Conforming the issue, the president of the caterers said: “When it comes to our financial challenges, I think that we still have some few outstanding, which I know payments should have been made last week. I don’t know what happened, maybe this week they will start paying the 2023 2nd term arrears and other outstanding slides for 2019.”
“What the minister said about our outstanding being paid, what I know is that we had a few meetings and the outcome was that they will be paying 3rd term 2022 and 1st term 2023. That one has been done, but the 2023 2nd term is yet to be paid. I’m telling you that maybe this week, payments will be made. When we receive the money this week, we will let the media know. Payments have been consistent for the first time in the history of School Feeding, and we are hoping it continues.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
