The National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) has accepted a government timeline to begin disbursing outstanding funds for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) initiative starting next week.
This agreement follows a protest staged by the group at the Ministry of Education to demand the clearance of roughly GH¢50 million owed for school uniforms, house attire, and campus clothing supplied to public secondary schools since 2023.
The decision to proceed with the demonstration persisted despite a prior meeting where the Free SHS Secretariat provided updates on claims and requested continued patience, as members felt verbal commitments alone were insufficient to cancel the protest.
Providing an update on Rainbow Radio’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, NAIS President Emmanuel Ayivor disclosed that ministry officials have now firmly assured them that the first batch of suppliers will be paid next week.
He explained that members were deeply frustrated by the extensive delays, which originally left them with no option but to demonstrate at the ministry to force official action.
However, given the public nature of the government’s latest commitment, the association has resolved to accept the terms.
“The Ministry of Education, through the Minister of Education, has given us the strongest indication that beginning next week, they will start payment. We have agreed to the terms because this new assurance is something the entire nation has heard about. Credibility is crucial and so we know the Minister will not do anything to undermine his credibility.”
Mr Ayivor expressed gratitude to the Minister for the assurance and emphasised that the suppliers remain optimistic that the payments will finally be made as promised.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana