Progressive School Feeding Association (Ashanti Region) Demands Compensation, Appeals to Otumfuo, Lordina Mahama, Chief Imam After NDC Government’s Sudden Contract Termination
The Ashanti Regional branch of the Progressive School Feeding Association has voiced strong protest against the NDC government over what they describe as the abrupt and unfair termination of their catering contracts under the Ghana National School Feeding Programme.
At a press conference held earlier today, President of the Association, Mrs. Gifty Asamoah, accused the government of breaching trust and causing severe financial hardships to hundreds of caterers who had made significant investments based on assurances from the new administration.
“We have always been committed to feeding Ghana’s children with nutritious meals. We sacrificed our own resources, even took loans, to sustain this programme. Now, without any proper notice, our contracts have been terminated. This is an injustice,” Mrs. Asamoah stated.
She explained that during the transitional period, government officials engaged caterers and assured them they would continue providing meals until the end of the third academic term. Acting on this promise, many caterers secured loans and purchased large quantities of foodstuffs on credit, only to be abruptly cut off without any form of compensation.
“We invested everything because we trusted the assurances we were given. Today, we are left with debts, unsold food, and broken promises,” Mrs. Asamoah lamented.
The Association is now demanding that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the School Feeding Secretariat either allow the caterers to complete the third term or provide adequate compensation for the massive financial losses they have incurred.
Beyond appealing to government institutions, the Association is calling on respected national figures — His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the National Chief Imam, Mrs. Lordina Mahama, and the Council of State — to intervene and advocate for justice on their behalf.
Several caterers who spoke at the press conference expressed their deep frustration, warning that the government’s action is not only insensitive but also a betrayal of the hard-working Ghanaians who have dedicated themselves to supporting a critical national programme.
“We are not asking for charity. We are only asking for what is due us. Either let us cook for the third term to recover our investments, or pay us what we have lost,” they demanded.
Many caterers now find themselves saddled with debts they have no means of paying, a situation that threatens their livelihoods and the welfare of their families.
“It is painful to see our loyalty and sacrifices treated with such disregard. We appeal to all well-meaning Ghanaians to support our call for justice,” Mrs. Asamoah concluded.
