The Food Suppliers Association of Ghana has extended its heartfelt gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for his commendable initiative to resupply food to senior high schools.
This move, according to the spokesperson for the association in the middle belt of Ghana and head of the post-harvest unit at the Association of Ghana Industries, is a significant step towards alleviating the challenges faced by headmasters and food suppliers in the education sector.
Alhaji Zakari mentioned that, the association had faced significant challenges after the government ordered headmasters of senior high schools to procure food directly, resulting in job losses and disruptions to the food supply chain.
“However, with President Mahama’s initiative, we are optimistic about receiving contracts for the food supply, which will not only revive our businesses but also ensure that students receive quality food”.
Alhaji Zakari highlighted key challenges that the initiative aims to address, including delayed payments, which hinder food suppliers’ ability to maintain a continuous supply of food to schools.
He also lamented that partisan politics had previously influenced the procurement process, leading to unfair treatment of some suppliers.
Furthermore, the association had observed that some schools were procuring non-quality food, which can have adverse effects on students’ health and well-being.
“When the contract is awarded, we will ensure that only quality food is supplied to schools. I believe that President Mahama’s initiative will have a positive impact in ensuring that only quality food is supplied to schools,” he added.
He stated that the initiative will also address the issue of delayed payments, enabling suppliers to provide better services.
