The government through the Ministry of Education has released an amount of GH₵125,998,145 to the Buffer Stock Company and headmasters for the feeding of students in public Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide.
This was contained in a May 21, 2021, press statement issued by the Ministry of Education and signed by its Chief Director, Mr Benjamin Kofi Gyasi.
According to the Ministry, part of the amount was released to the Buffer Stock Company, and the remaining sent to the headmasters of Senior High Schools to enable them buy perishable components of foodstuff needed for the feeding of the students.
“The government through the Ministry of Education on 14th May 2021, released (GHS125,998,145) of which GHS83,184,673 went to the Buffer Stock Company, with GHS42,813,472 going to headmasters of SHS for the payment of perishable components of feeding to schools,” the statement said.
The statement further explained that this payment follows an initial payment made to the Buffer Stock Company and the headmasters for perishable foods for the first semester.
“This follows payments made on the 28th April 2021, when a total of GHS102,350,871.20 was paid to the Buffer Stock Company and headmasters (for perishable) for the 1st semester.”
The statement also rejected the claims that the Free Senior High School initiative is under stress.
“The Ministry is therefore assuring parents and other stakeholders once again that the Free Senior High School (FSHS) initiative is not under stress as was being peddled around by some for reasons best known to them.”
The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) had early on complained about the delay in releasing the funds to the schools.