School feeding programme is collapsing - Dr Amoako-Tuffuor

A former Executive Chairman of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) in the Kufuor administration, Dr. Kwame Amoako-Tuffour has bemoaned the neglect of the programme which was initiated by the previous administration.

According to Dr. Amoako-Tuffuor, the manner by which the programme is currently being managed by the National Democratic Congress' administration will ultimately render it unsustainable leading to eventual collapse.

In an interview with Myjoyonline.com, Dr. Amoako-Tuffuor revealed that caterers engaged by the GSFP are now pre-financing the school feeding programme whereas the government is owing them arrears which dates to last term.

He noted that, for instance instead of government paying for the 65 days of cooking that caterers were engaged for last term, the government has only paid 30 days whereas no monies have been paid this term. He added that, this practice has led to the caterers borrowing food items to prepare meals for the school children.

“That should tell you that for a programme that has to be pre-financed by government that is being handled this way, it shows that all is not well” he added.

Dr. Amoako-Tuffuor added that the benefit of the school feeding programme is so enormous that all hands must be on board to salvage it. He said the effect of the programme trickles fown to even farmers in the remotest parts of Ghana.

He also added that government must take steps to ensure these caterers are paid through bank accounts specifically created which will also make them credit worthy when they apply for loans from banks.

The former Executive Chairman of the GSFP who was relieved of his position in the erstwhile administration maintained that he has been vindicated as audits report conducted during his tenure did not reveal any financial malfeasance as alleged by some organisations. He cited his appointment as the President of Africa Network for School Feeding as testament to his credentials.