Former National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Hajia Safia Mohammed, has condemned the government’s decision to terminate the contracts of caterers under the programme with immediate effect.

She observed that this abrupt and politically motivated action smacks of nothing but vindictiveness, discrimination, and an utter disregard for the dignity and welfare of hardworking Ghanaian women who have served diligently and faithfully.

“These caterers, most of whom are women with dependents, have committed their resources, time, and energy to feed schoolchildren across the country, not only as a source of livelihood but also as a service to national development.

Yet, with no just cause or reasonable notice, they have been dismissed without consideration for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic calendar, a term they were preparing for in good faith. This is not only unacceptable but a clear breach of natural justice and fair administrative process” she lamented.

Hajia Safia made these remarks in a statement issued on Monday, May 5, 2025, following the announcement of the contracts of all caterers nationwide last week by the management of the School Feeding Programme.

“Please be informed that contracts of all caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) nationwide have been terminated with immediate effect. Accordingly, no existing caterer on the programme should cook for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year,” the statement directed.

In her response, Hajia Safia bemoaned what is particularly worrying and disturbing is that the caterers had taken substantial loans and procured foodstuffs in readiness to begin cooking for the third term, only to be abruptly informed that their contracts had been terminated.

“How are they expected to repay these loans? And what becomes of the foodstuffs they have already purchased? This decision smacks of insensitivity, injustice, and a complete lack of due consideration for the livelihoods of these hardworking individuals” an angry Safia queried.

Past precedence

The Deputy National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party recounted that when the NDC handed over power to the NPP in 2017, caterers perceived to be sympathetic to the NDC were not summarily dismissed.

However, she stated they were allowed to serve for a full academic year before any decisions were taken regarding the renewal or termination of their contracts and further described that act of goodwill was a mark of statesmanship, maturity, and a deep understanding of the implications of such decisions on the livelihoods of individuals and the stability of a key national programme.

She therefore threatened to seek redress of the matter in court if the government fails to immediately reverse what she described as unjust termination.

“Let it be known that if the government does not immediately reverse this unjust termination, I shall be left with no option but to seek redress in the courts of law on behalf of the caterers. I will not hesitate to pursue this matter legally to its logical conclusion, including filing a petition with the, World Bank, World Food Programme (WFP), the Partnership for Child Development, and UNICEF, as well as national organizations like the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Dutch embassy, the International Monitory Fund (IMF), Social Protection and other key partners in the School Feeding Programme, to alert them of the political victimization and targeted maltreatment being meted out to caterers who have served with loyalty, diligence, and competence” she emphasized.

Meanwhile, the former School Feeding boss has also demanded the immediate instatement of all district officers who were earlier dismissed by the government and a moratorium on political interference in the operations of the School Feeding Programme.

Source: Ginanewsroom.com