Upper East Regional Coordinator of the School Feeding Programme, Georgina Ayamba has clarified that the amount of money allocated per pupil under the programme is GH¢1 and not 97 pesewas as many are made to believe.
Speaking in an interview on Breakfast Today, Madam Ayamba explained that government allocates GH¢1 for the provision of meals for each student.
However, there is a 3 percent tax component included in the allocation which when deducted brings the amount per child down to 97 pesewas, she indicated.
“It’s 1 cedi with 3 percent income tax inclusive so that is why when you do the deduction, people say government pays 97 percent,” she told host of the show, James Nana Tsiquaye.
While admitting that the allocation per head is inadequate, the regional coordinator, who doubles as the governing New Patriotic Party Women’s Organizer for the region, insisted that the meagre allocation does not affect the quality of meals pupils in the various schools are served with since the food is prepared in bulk.
“We understand that now looking at the economic crisis, the 1 cedi is inadequate. But because we are cooking in bulk, if not, I know it will not be possible for you to take 1 cedi to go and buy something and go cook for one person,” she said.
Madam Ayamba commended the caterers for striving to feed schoolchildren in the region despite the inadequacy of the funds allocated to them.
She assures them of government’s commitment to clearing the arears owed them and reviewing the amount per child upward.
Her comments come at the back of agitation by the caterers over the failure of government to pay arrears owed them.
Madam Georgina had, days ago, issued a statement, urging caterers under the programme in the region to continue cooking for the children in their various schools as she said government was taking steps to address their concerns.
