School Feeding Caterers in Kadjebi District Still Cooking Despite Strike Action

School feeding caterers in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region in Ghana have remained at their posts since schools resumed on April 3, despite the strike action embarked on by their colleagues in other parts of the country. According to a Ghana News Agency (GNA) report, the caterers were seen busily preparing food for pupils at Kadjebi E.P Primary School, Kadjebi D/A “A” Primary, and Okanta D/A Primary School.

Although their colleagues in other parts of the country are on strike over delayed payment of feeding grants for two terms and a call for the increment of the grant from GH₵0.97 per child to GH₵3.00 per child, the caterers in Kadjebi district have defied all odds to keep the program running.

At Kadjebi E.P Primary School, about 500 pupils from kindergarten to primary six are benefiting from the program, with a variety of meals being prepared for them, including Banku and rice. Mr Andrews Duedu, an assistant headteacher at the school, confirmed that the caterers have been at their posts since April 3 and praised them for the good work they were doing for Mother Ghana.

Similarly, at Kadjebi D/A “A” Primary School, 430 pupils are benefiting from the program, with the caterers present and cooking utensils at the kitchen indicating that the workers were at their posts. Mr Emmanuel Kofi Kafui Hodzor, the headteacher of the school, confirmed that the caterers have been at their posts since schools resumed.

At Okanta D/A Primary School, the caterers have been preparing food for the pupils since school resumed, with Madam Mariam Tahiru, a caterer in charge of the School Feeding program in the school, seen chopping Kontomire, a type of vegetable used in preparing stew. She noted that they have not been paid for two terms, which has made life unbearable for them as creditors are on their necks for payment of monies owed them.

For the most part, the School Feeding program, which started in 2005, aims at increasing school enrollment, encouraging punctuality among pupils, and enabling them to concentrate in class. Despite the challenges faced by some caterers in the country, the program has recorded successes in some districts, including Kadjebi, where the caterers have remained committed to their duties despite the strike action by their colleagues.