The National Association of Institutional Suppliers has postponed its scheduled picketing at the Ministry of Education to Monday, April 8, 2024.
Initially planned for March 4, 2024, the decision to reschedule comes in response to the Ministry’s persistent failure to award contracts and settle outstanding debts amounting to over GH¢100 million owed to association members.
Expressing disappointment over the government’s negligence, the association highlights the Ministry’s failure to make payments for uniforms, house dresses, and other essential supplies to various senior high schools over two academic years.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the Association announced the revised picketing date of April 8, with the activity extending to Tuesday, April 9, 2024, after which members will disperse.
The Association cites the Ministry’s failure to honor its commitments, specifically the refusal to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as agreed upon, as the primary reason for the planned picketing.
Despite assurances made during a meeting on March 26, the Ministry did not initiate payments as promised on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
The statement further notes that a meeting will be convened to address other outstanding issues, including the low-price quota and the awards of PE kits and stationery at the school level, once all arrears have been settled.
Concluding the statement, the Association expresses regret at the Ministry’s failure to uphold its end of the agreement and declares the necessity to proceed with the planned picketing event.
“A meeting will be convened to address other outstanding issues, namely the low-price quota and awards of PE kits and Stationery at the school level after all arrears have been cleared. NAIS agreed to suspend the intended picketing at the MOE, slated for April 8, 2024.
“Regrettably, the Ministry of Education has failed to uphold their end of the agreement by refusing to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as agreed upon. Consequently, we are compelled to proceed with our planned picketing event.”