By The Government says an amount of GHC26,000,000.00 has been released to institutional suppliers’.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education explained that the cash will go to suppliers responsible for the supply of school uniforms, P.E. kits, and stationery among others as part of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) program.
“The Ministry of Education is pleased to announce the disbursement of GHC26,000,000.00 to institutional suppliers’ responsible for the supply of school uniforms, P.E Kits, stationery, etc as part of the Free Senior High School program.
“The amount released, underscores the Government’s commitment to fostering quality education and ensuring the smooth running of educational institutions,” the spokesperson for the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng indicated.
He continued: “The Ministry affirms its commitment to ensuring smooth, timely, and efficient distribution of resources as we continue our efforts to improve and sustain quality education in Ghana.”
Last month, the National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) expressed displeasure over the government’s failure to pay its members who supply SHS with uniforms, housedresses, and other essentials.
On Monday, April 8, the suppliers showed up at the Ministry of Education premises to demonstrate after the government reneged on its commitment to commence payment on Tuesday, 2nd April, 2024, and clear all outstanding arrears owed to NAIS following a meeting in March.
However, the planned picketing was suspended hours later after a closed-door meeting with officials to discuss payment of outstanding debt.
Read More: National Association of Institutional Suppliers suspend picketing
Speaking to the media, the Public Relations Officer of NAIS, Emmanuel Ayivor, had said members received assurances from the ministry that disbursement of arrears would start on Monday afternoon.
“We have come to a conclusion and they (the Ministry) have actually assured us that they have heard our concerns. From today as a matter of urgency, they will start paying the arrears from the 2021/2022 academic year and then part of the 2022/2023 academic year will be paid by Wednesday,” Mr Ayivor said.
He added that further discussions would be had with the Ministry to come up with a payment plan.
The PRO however, cautioned the government that the demonstration would resume should the government fail to honour its side of the agreement and settle all the arrears.
