School Feeding Caterers Demand Payment of Arrears and Increment in Charges

The Greater Accra School Feeding Caterers Association has embarked on an industrial action, refusing to return to schools until their arrears are paid. The association’s president, Madam Juliana Cudjoe, expressed disappointment that they had not received their grants for the last academic year. She emphasized that they were in dire need of payment of at least the third term of last year to enable them to pay some of their debts. The caterers have had a meeting with the program managers, and they are hopeful of receiving their payments soon.

For the most part, the caterers are going through harsh economic conditions, with their debtors constantly on their necks. This situation has resulted in the caterers demanding an increment in their charges per child from 97 pesewas to GHC 3. They argue that this increase is necessary to meet the rising costs of foodstuffs.

Mr. Kwaku Frimpong, a caterer at Teshie Laboma Presbyterian School, emphasized the need to withdraw their services to press home their demands. The Ghana News Agency’s visit to some schools in Accra revealed that the caterers were absent from the schools. This development has had an adverse impact on enrolment, with some school authorities appealing to the government to address the caterers’ concerns.

In a nutshell, the School Feeding Caterers Association’s industrial action is due to unpaid grants and a demand for an increment in their charges per child. The caterers are hopeful that the government will address their concerns, which will enable them to return to cooking for school children.