Former President John Dramani Mahama has backed the demand by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) asking the government to allow headmasters and mistresses to purchase foodstuff for their respective Senior High Schools. 

The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s flagbearer for 2024 said such a move will help remove the “unnecessary hindrances” that hamper feeding in SHSs. 

Posting on social media about the issue on Thursday, October 12, Mr Mahama said the request by CHASS aligns with his pledge to give headmasters and mistresses an opportunity to procure food items for their students.

“I agree with the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) that Senior High School management should be allowed to procure food items for their students.”

“This change in policy aligns with my stance, which I announced in Navrongo in November 2020. It will eliminate the unnecessary hindrances that hamper the feeding of SHS students in Ghana.”

CHASS has asked the government to allow headmasters and mistresses to purchase foodstuff for their respective Senior High School.

The Conference bemoaned the struggles they encounter with suppliers before foodstuffs are supplied to their schools.

Due to this situation, the President of CHASS, Reverend Steven Owusu Sekyere, addressing the 61st National Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 11, asked the government to heed their call.

According to him, they are suffering at the hands of suppliers and it is unfair to them.

“We are urging management to ensure a timely release of the entire funding for schools to make our work less stressful, and monies allocated for all activities must be increased significantly to meet the current market price of goods and services.”

“This will help to provide our students with the required resources for their educational needs,” he said. 

This request the former president says is in the right direction.