John Mahama, the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has defended his proposal to cancel the supply of food items to Senior High Schools (SHSs) as part of his plan to review the Free SHS policy.
Mahama’s proposal comes in the wake of allegations made by North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, regarding the distribution of expired and repackaged rice to SHSs nationwide.
Ablakwa claimed that the National Food Buffer Stock company, in collaboration with Lamens Investments Africa Limited, was responsible for the distribution of 22,000 bags of substandard rice in February 2024.
Speaking at a campaign event in Asawinso, Western North, on November 15, 2024, Mahama expressed his concerns over the handling of food supplies in SHSs.
“I know you have heard that some expired and repackaged bags of rice have been distributed by the National Buffer Stock to various SHSs across the country for our kids to eat,” Mahama said, referencing the allegations.
He justified his stance by advocating for a decentralized food supply system, arguing that direct funding should be given to schools, allowing them to purchase food locally and ensuring better oversight of the quality of supplies.
Mahama’s proposal aims to address issues of transparency and accountability in the distribution of food to schools, highlighting the need for a system where schools have control over their own food purchases.
“That is why we say we won’t buy foodstuff for the schools. The money for the food will be given to the schools directly to make such purchases,” he explained.
This proposal, however, is likely to spark debate as it touches on the broader concerns surrounding the implementation and sustainability of the Free SHS policy.
