The Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, George Abradu-Otoo, has directed heads of senior high schools
He issued the directive while monitoring food deliveries in selected senior high schools in the Eastern Region to ensure uninterrupted feeding and address operational bottlenecks under the school feeding programme.
The schools visited, Aburi Girls’ Senior High School and Benkum Senior High School — had adequate food supplies in stock, with storerooms filled with essential items.
Management of the schools expressed satisfaction with the steady supply of foodstuffs but appealed for expanded storage facilities and improved coordination from suppliers to enable phased deliveries.
Their concerns centred on storage challenges, food preservation and the quantity of meals served to students. They also called for stricter enforcement to ensure that only approved and standardised food products are supplied.
to insist on quality food supplies from approved vendors.
Wilhelmina Oboubisa-Atakora, Headmistress of Aburi Girls’ Senior High School, said: “Everything is well here for us at Aburi Girls, only that we do not have enough space. This is why some heads may reject receiving items when suppliers bring them. The suppliers need to be introduced to us so that we can properly communicate on when food should be supplied.”
The Deputy Chief Stores Officer at Benkum Senior High School, Abigail Sarpong, also spoke about the supply of foodstuffs.
“We have enough food now; we just do not have enough space to keep it. We wish they would bring it in phases. Samples of the goods to be delivered to schools should be sanctioned before they are brought to us. The rice we have is not tasty; the students do not enjoy it,” she said.
Mr Abradu-Otoo instructed school heads to accept only food items that have passed quality control checks.
“We have told the heads of schools — it is even part of the contract — not to sign any document if the goods the suppliers bring are not of the required standard, especially on issues of expiry dates. Do not sign. Suppliers cannot just wake up and carry items to schools; liaise with our regional buffer stock directors and the schools before distribution,” he said.
He noted concerns about the quantity of certain items, including milk and sardines, served to students, and announced plans to engage stakeholders to improve portions.
“It is unacceptable to give a tin of milk to 10 students and three sardines to 10 students to share. That is so wrong. This is not our jurisdiction, but I will engage the Free School Feeding Secretariat and other responsible bodies to take a decision. It is very disheartening; we have supplied enough foodstuffs and essentials to the schools,” he added.
The CEO also held discussions with Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, to strengthen collaboration and improve food distribution systems in the region. He further inspected the company’s regional office in Koforidua and toured its warehouse facility at Kukurantumi. Both facilities are expected to undergo renovation works to enhance operational efficiency and storage capacity.
