The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) in the North East Region has been thrown into uncertainty after caterers rejected centrally supplied foodstuffs.

They cite high costs and logistical challenges as reasons for their refusal.

The food items, supplied from Accra under a new centralised procurement arrangement by the National Secretariat of the GSFP, were distributed to caterers across the region.

However, many caterers declined to accept the supplies, arguing that the prices were significantly higher than prevailing market rates and could undermine their ability to deliver daily meals to schoolchildren.

According to the caterers, the items said to include rice, cooking oil, and gari were priced to substantially reduce their already limited margins under the current per-child feeding allocation.

They insist that accepting the supplies would make it difficult to prepare nutritionally adequate meals.

In the Bunkprugu–Nakpanduri District, large quantities of food items, including over 200 gallons of cooking oil and several sacks of rice and gari, are reportedly locked up at District Assembly stores and other locations after caterers unanimously rejected them.

The District Chief Executive, Lanchir Joseph, confirmed the development in an interview with JoyNews, stating that discussions are ongoing with the National Secretariat in Accra to resolve the matter.

Beyond operational concerns, the dispute has reportedly triggered internal tensions within the programme's regional management.

Working relations between the Regional Coordinator, Sumaiya Ligbi, who also serves as the Regional Women’s Organiser, and her deputies across the districts have reportedly deteriorated following the rejection of the food supplies.

Sources within the programme say tensions escalated after the Regional Coordinator accused the Deputy Regional Women’s Organiser, Fognam Laadi, who also serves as a Zonal Coordinator of the GSFP, of leading efforts to mobilise caterers against the centrally supplied items.

Madam Laadi told JoyNews she was subsequently removed from an official WhatsApp platform used for coordination among regional and district organisers.

“We were six members on the platform, including four zonal coordinators, the Regional Coordinator, and her secretary. I was removed after the rejection of the items across the region,” she said.

The Women’s Organiser for the Nalerigu–Gambaga Constituency, Madam Damata Issahaku, also confirmed strained relations within the leadership structure, warning that unresolved internal issues could have political consequences.

Responding to the concerns, the National Coordinator of the GSFP, Hajia Fati Fogor, told JoyNews that the centrally supplied foodstuffs were intended to support caterers who lack the financial capacity to procure food locally.

“The supplies were meant for caterers who cannot afford to pre-finance the service but are still required to cook for the children. This was clearly communicated,” she explained.

She said the initiative was introduced to address persistent challenges with caterers consistently failing to provide meals.

“Our data shows several non-cooking days where caterers had been contracted but could not cook because they depended on financial support from MPs or MMDCEs,” she stated.

Hajia Fogor dismissed claims that stakeholders were not consulted before the items were dispatched, insisting that engagements were held and describing some resistance as politically motivated.

The impasse has reportedly deepened divisions within the regional structure, particularly among caterers who had already procured food items locally before the centrally supplied goods arrived.

Headteachers and parents have expressed concern that prolonged disputes could disrupt meal provision and negatively affect pupils who depend on the programme for daily nutrition.

Regional authorities say engagements with the National Secretariat are ongoing, with calls for a review of the pricing and distribution framework.

Stakeholders have urged all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and prioritise the welfare of schoolchildren.

As of the time of filing this report, the Regional Secretariat of the School Feeding Programme had not issued an official response to the concerns raised by caterers in the region.