The Government of Ghana says it has fulfilled its commitment to caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) by paying the arrears for the first term of the 2023/2024 academic year.

This payment, facilitated through the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, covers all 16 regions of the country.

A statement issued by the GSFP on Monday, July 1, said the academic term, which began on October 3, 2023, included 58 official cooking days. However, caterers were instructed to use the initial four days, from October 3 to October 6, to clean their kitchen environments, resulting in an adjusted total of 54 cooking days.

Consequently, the caterers have been compensated for these 54 days at a rate of One Ghana Cedi and Twenty Pesewas (GH₵1.20) per child per school day.

The National Secretariat of the GSFP has emphasised that payments were made based on the actual number of days caterers provided meals to the beneficiary students.

This clarification aims to ensure transparency and accuracy in the disbursement process.

The Head of Public Relations, Siiba Alfa, who signed the statement, commended the caterers for their patience and dedication despite delays in the payment process. "We recognize the endurance and selfless service of our cherished caterers, who continue to provide for our children under challenging circumstances," Alfa stated.