The Deputy Chief Executive of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, Osmond Amuah, has raised concerns about ongoing feeding challenges in senior high schools, stressing that students cannot be properly fed without a steady supply of vegetables.
Speaking on Monday, he said some progress has been made in addressing supply issues, but a major gap remains in the provision of perishable food items.
“We are just happy, from a Buffer Stock perspective, that this matter seems to be finding a solution,” he said.
Mr Amuah explained that the core challenge lies with perishables, which are procured directly by schools, unlike non-perishable items that are supplied through Buffer Stock with support from the Ghana Commodity Exchange.
“At the head of the matter is perishables, which the schools themselves procure, and Buffer Stock with Ghana Commodity Exchange provides support for the non-perishable items,” he said.
He noted that Buffer Stock currently supplies 18 categories of non-perishable items, including both pre-packed and raw commodities, ensuring consistent supply to schools.
“These non-perishable items are 18 in number, and Buffer Stock gets to supply all that to the schools,” he added.
According to him, the agency’s structure as a government-owned but privately run limited liability company helps it secure financing and facilitate smooth delivery through private sector partners.
“Buffer Stock is government-owned but acts as a private entity limited liability… we’ve been able to bridge finance for the private sector to do the deliveries,” he explained.
However, he stressed that the absence of perishables continues to undermine the entire school feeding system.
“You cannot cook when you don’t have vegetables,” he said.
Mr Amuah further warned that delays in payments for perishables already supplied to schools are directly affecting feeding arrangements.
“Whatever problems that persist… due to the lack of payment for perishables… it means the students cannot feed,” he noted.
He emphasised that students must remain at the centre of the discussion, urging all stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency.
“Putting the students at the heart of everything that is going on, you have to have concern,” he said.
He also dismissed suggestions that delays in payments were intentional, attributing the situation instead to structural and funding constraints.
“I do not think that the delay in perishables is deliberate on anybody’s part,” he said.
Mr Amuah added that procurement and audit considerations have complicated payment processes, while rising enrolment is placing additional pressure on the system. He noted that Senior High School enrolment alone now exceeds 300,000 in some cohorts.
He concluded that although some tensions have eased, lasting reforms are needed to fully stabilise the feeding system in schools.