School Feeding caterers to resume work on Jan. 25

The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), with the approval of the Caretaker Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has announced that the cooking services by its caterers for the 1st term of the 2022 academic year will commence on Tuesday, 25 January, 2022 despite the reopening of basic schools across the country.

The GSFP has, therefore, called on its caterers to use the first one week “to stock their stores and tidy up their cooking spaces to ensure a good hygienic environment.”

A statement issued by the GSFP noted that “payment of the 2nd Term arrears started last week for Six (6) regions including part of the Greater Accra Region and will continue for the remaining regions in a few days.”

The Head of Public Relations of GSFP, Siiba Alfa, said in the press statement issued yesterday that payment of the second term arrears started last week for some six regions, including parts of the Greater Accra Region.

According to the head of public relations, the Ghana School Feeding Programme will continue for the remaining regions in a few days.

Hygiene

She urged GSFP caterers to use the first week of the reopening dates to stock their stores and tidy up their cooking spaces to ensure a good hygienic environment.

“Caterers are mandated to provide wholesome meals based on their district menus and the cost per child is still pegged at GHC 1.00,” she noted.

Madam Alfa added that caterers and cooks are further directed to have valid health certificates on display at their work site.

She said the only caterers authorised to provide meals are those on the master list of the Ghana School Feeding Programme, adding that “for the avoidance of doubt, Caterers should endeavor to contact their Regional Coordinators or District Desk Officers for further directives”.

The School Feeding Programme also tasked its staff at the national and regional offices to work with the MMDAs, the GES and Health Directorates to ensure an effective and safe food service delivery to pupils.

“Caterers and cooks are encouraged to strictly adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols. Once again, GSFP wishes to assure all Caterers, especially those who are yet to receive payment, that their 2nd term arrears would soon be released,” she assured.