Source: Africa Publicity
Senior High Schools (SHS) across Ghana could be forced to shut down if urgent financial support is not provided to sustain feeding operations under Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
Ghana’s Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) issued the warning.
CHASS made the warning a meeting convened by Ghana’s Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu.
The meeting ended in a stalemate after stakeholders failed to agree on measures to address a worsening food-supply crisis in schools.
The discussions, held at the Education Ministry in Accra brought together key stakeholders, including the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), the National Food Buffer Stock Company, and the GETFund.
At the centre of the impasse is the procurement of perishable food items such as vegetables, meat, and eggs, which have become difficult to source due to delays in funding.
In an effort to resolve the issue, the minister proposed that GETFund maintain an arrangement allowing CHASS to independently procure perishable items. However, the parties were unable to reach a consensus.
The deadlock follows a formal petition by CHASS and the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPTI), who have raised concerns over dwindling supplies from the National Food Buffer Stock Company and the impact of inflation on already constrained school budgets.
CHASS warned that without immediate funding to procure essential food supplies, schools may be compelled to send students home—an outcome that could disrupt the academic calendar and preparations for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Headteachers have reportedly resorted to using personal funds and relying on credit from local suppliers to ensure students continue to receive meals.
