Feeding Program:We will not cook until we hear something positive from the government.

The Ashanti Region’s school food program has had a chaotic few days.

The caterers have been agitated this week, owing to outstanding payments that date back three months in some instances.

On March 20, angry caterers in control of school feeding in the Ashanti region besieged the regional office, demanding nine-month arrears.

The caterers also asked for an increase in the feeding grant, which is presently set at 97 pesewas per head. The chefs want it checked for GHS3.

The administration had cleared the first tranche of outstanding debt as of March 27.

However, the feeding allowance stays unchanged.

“We have lamented a lot, it didn’t get anywhere. They owe us three terms, they only paid one and even that they didn’t pay the full amount” Dorothy Ofori-Sarpong, an aggrieved caterer told the media Benjamin Aidoo.

“We bemoaned a lot, but nothing came of it.” They owe us three terms, but they only paid one and not the entire amount.” Dorothy Ofori-Sarpong, a disgruntled chef, said.

Protests brought them to the regional minister’s office, but Simon Osei Mensah was having none of it.

The minister ignored the agitated ladies.

That has enraged the caterers even more, who have announced that they will withdraw their services with instant effect.

“We will not cook until we hear something positive from the government” a caterer fumed

This could cause major feeding issues for many schools in the area. The school feeding program was implemented during the government of former President Kufour to reduce truancy and improve equity in education.

A recent development calls the program’s reasoning into question.

The strike is unlikely to force the regional minister to reconsider his position.

While he sympathizes with the caterers over the payment delay, he strongly opposes their method of demonstration.

“I sympathize with them…but we should not use illegality to solve problems,” Simon Osei-Mensah said in an interview.

In the meantime, with negotiations stalled, many children may go famished during the school day.

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