The government of Ghana has assured members of the National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) that payments for outstanding debts owed under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme will begin next week.
The assurance follows a picketing exercise staged by the association at the Ministry of Education on Thursday, June 11, to demand the settlement of arrears owed to suppliers.
According to NAIS, the government owes its members about GH¢50 million for uniforms, house dresses and other school clothing supplied to senior high schools since 2023.
Speaking in an interview after presenting a petition to the ministry, NAIS President Emmanuel Ayivor said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu personally received the petition and provided an update on efforts to settle the debt.
“Yes, the minister was present. He took our petition himself, and he graciously informed us that by next week, we will be paid for the first batch,” Ayivor said.
He explained that the outstanding payments have been divided into three batches, with the first tranche amounting to approximately GH¢38 million.
“We were told that the first batch is ready. The second batch, too, has gone to GETFund. They are on it, and they are expecting that by the close of the month, our arrears will be cleared. By next week, surely payments will commence. The first batch will be paid around GH¢38 million, and the rest will follow subsequently,” he stated.
The suppliers had earlier embarked on the protest to express frustration over the prolonged delay in receiving payment, arguing that the situation had negatively affected their businesses.
During the picketing exercise, Ayivor noted that many suppliers had secured bank loans to execute government contracts and were now struggling with mounting financial obligations due to the delayed payments.
The association expressed optimism that the government would honour its commitment and clear all outstanding arrears by the end of the month.
