The Food Suppliers Association of Ghana has welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s recent initiative to resume centralized food supply contracts for Senior High Schools, signaling a potential turnaround for a sector plagued by disruption and uncertainty.
The decision to reverse the previous directive—where headmasters were required to procure food independently—has been praised as a crucial step toward stabilizing the food supply chain and restoring confidence among suppliers and school administrators alike.
Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari, spokesperson for the Food Suppliers Association in Ghana’s middle belt and head of the post-harvest unit at the Association of Ghana Industries, described the initiative as “a beacon of hope” for food suppliers who have faced significant operational setbacks due to fragmented procurement processes.
“The decentralization of procurement led to job losses and an unstable supply chain, affecting both suppliers and schools. This initiative promises to re-establish order and reliability,” Alhaji Zakari told reporters.
Beyond operational challenges, the Association highlighted persistent issues such as delayed payments and politically motivated favoritism that previously hampered the consistent delivery of quality food to students.
Alhaji Zakari expressed optimism that the government’s renewed oversight would ensure contracts are awarded fairly and that the quality of food provided meets health and nutrition standards critical for students’ well-being.
“We look forward to a transparent process that prioritizes quality and timely service. This will ultimately benefit the students who depend on these meals daily,” he said.
The initiative is expected to strengthen supplier capacity, improve payment timelines, and reduce inefficiencies, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the school feeding program.
With the backing of the Food Suppliers Association, President Mahama’s intervention could mark the beginning of a more coordinated and accountable approach to nourishing Ghana’s youth through education.
