The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, has called for stronger state institutions to enable them to deliver on their mandates effectively.

He made the call when the CEO of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), George Abradu-Otoo, paid a courtesy call on him at the Regional Coordinating Council in Sunyani.

Mr Akwaboah described NAFCO as a strategic state institution that must be adequately resourced to perform its role in stabilising food supply and supporting the country’s food security agenda.

He commended the company for its efforts in addressing grain glut challenges in several parts of the country.

The NAFCO CEO was in the Bono Region as part of a nationwide working tour of senior high schools and agricultural facilities to assess food supply conditions.

As part of the visit, Mr Abradu-Otoo toured Sunyani Senior High School, where he met the Headmaster, Gordon Osei Marfo, to discuss food supply for students.

Mr Marfo, who also serves as the National Treasurer of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), called for a revised national menu to guide feeding in senior high schools.

He said the school currently has enough food in stock to cater for its student population of about 4,400.

“We have so much food in stock; now we even compel the students to go for dining,” he said.

The NAFCO CEO also visited St James Seminary Senior High School, accompanied by NAFCO Board Member Collins Mahama.

The Rector of the seminary, Rev. Fr. Felix Taah, similarly assured the delegation that the school has adequate food supplies to feed its students.

Mr Abradu-Otoo said NAFCO will continue to strengthen engagement with key stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of the Free Senior High School policy.

The visit to Bono forms part of a broader tour by the NAFCO CEO, who has already visited the Eastern, Ashanti, Bono East and Bono regions.