Gov’t grants permission for Heads of SHS to procure food items

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has authorized public second-cycle institutions to procure essential food items locally to address feeding challenges.

The directive, dated January 22, 2025, was signed by Stephen Kwaku Owusu, Deputy Director-General (Management Services), and communicated to all regional directors.

According to the letter, the initiative serves as an interim measure to improve the feeding situation for a two-week period, starting from January 20 to February 3, 2025. “This is an interim measure to improve the feeding situation in the various public Second Cycle Institutions,” the letter stated.

The directive permits heads of public senior high schools to purchase food items that are not available in current stocks, using disbursements based on student enrollment and approved feeding costs.

Additionally, schools operating on a day system are allowed to procure food items to ensure smooth operations.

The memo further encourages collaboration with private caterers where necessary to maintain meal quality. “Similarly, Heads of Day Schools should engage the services of private caterers to provide a hot meal to students if the approved stock items are unavailable,” it emphasized.

Heads of institutions have been urged to strictly adhere to the guidelines to ensure a seamless implementation of the measure. The GES has tasked regional directors to oversee the process and report compliance.

Source: Starrfm.com.gh