Former Education Ministry spokesperson blames Mahama for SHS feeding challenges 

Kwasi Kwarteng, former spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, has attributed the current feeding challenges in Senior High Schools (SHS) to political statements made by President John Dramani Mahama during his campaign.

In a social media post on Friday, January 10, 2025, Kwarteng criticized Mahama’s approach, stating, “This is what happens when politics is prioritized over genuine solutions.”

Kwarteng’s comments were in response to a statement from the National Food Suppliers Association, which indicated readiness to distribute food to SHSs pending new government directives.

The Association noted, “If the new government gives us the purchasing order today, food will be distributed to all Senior High Schools by Monday.”

During his 2024 campaign, Mahama pledged to decentralize the procurement of food supplies for SHSs, proposing to eliminate the role of the National Food Buffer Stock Company and reassign responsibilities to headmasters.

He argued that this move would prevent food shortages and ensure timely delivery of supplies. Mahama stated, “We’ll decentralise SHS food supplies,” emphasizing the need for timely release of food items to schools.

However, Kwarteng contends that such promises have led to insecurity among suppliers, adversely affecting students.

He remarked, “In your bid for votes, you threatened to strip suppliers of their jobs and reassign those responsibilities to headmasters, burdening them with supply duties on top of their existing management roles. Today, suppliers feel insecure under your leadership, and, regrettably, our innocent schoolchildren are bearing the brunt of this situation.”

Reports indicate that suppliers are hesitant to deliver food due to uncertainties about contract continuity under the new government.

Kofi Asare, an education policy analyst, explained, “Suppliers have shown significant caution in food deliveries since September due to uncertainties surrounding political transitions.”

In light of these challenges, the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has urged parents to provide supplementary food items for their children.

Primus Baro, National Secretary of CHASS, stated, “Many institutions are currently limiting food; thus, CHASS has encouraged parents to send their children to school with food items to complement what the schools can supply.”