The government allocated over GH¢2.7 billion between 2017 and 2022 to cover the expenses associated with supplying food to beneficiaries of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy.
This substantial amount encompasses the provision of 18 food items across more than 700 senior high schools (SHS), technical institutions, vocational schools, and community development schools.
The CEO of the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab, revealed these figures on Monday, August 21.
He explained that the disbursements for each year were as follows: GH¢81.1 million in 2017, GH¢296.2 million in 2018, and GH¢441.5 million in 2019.
For the years 2020 and 2021, NAFCO disbursed GH¢467.9 million and GH¢692.2 million, respectively. Additionally, a sum of GH¢726.6 million was paid out in 2022.
Mr. Abdul-Wahab acknowledged that although there were outstanding payments owed to food suppliers for 2022, the government had made strides in settling these obligations.
He stated that a payment of GH¢100 million was made on July 17 of the current year, and an additional GH¢80 million was in the process of being disbursed to the suppliers.
In terms of the overall financial standing, he affirmed that roughly 85% of the arrears for 2022 had been resolved, leaving 15% yet to be settled. He expressed confidence that efforts were underway to address this remaining balance by the end of the month.
These remarks were made during the Ministry of Information’s Meet the Press event held in Accra on August 21.
The presentation centered largely on the accomplishments of NAFCO in meeting its mandate, which involves ensuring food security, supporting farmers through guaranteed prices, maintaining stable local food prices, and promoting the consumption of domestically produced grains.