Ghana School Feeding Programme terminates all caterer contracts nationwide, prompting backlash from the Caterers Association and appeals to President Mahama for intervention.
There is growing concern among caterers across Ghana following the official termination of all contracts under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), a move that has triggered strong reactions and an urgent appeal to President John Dramani Mahama.
In a statement dated May 2, 2025, the GSFP Secretariat announced that with immediate effect, all caterers currently engaged in the programme are to cease operations. The directive, issued just days before the start of the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year, bars any existing caterer from preparing meals for schoolchildren when classes resume.
“Please be informed that contracts of all caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) nationwide have been terminated with immediate effect. Accordingly, no existing caterer on the programme should cook for the third term,” the statement read.
While the Secretariat assured caterers that arrears from the second term would be paid, the announcement has sparked outrage and concern among those who rely on the programme for their livelihoods.
Backlash from Caterers’ Association
The School Feeding Caterers Association, led by President Nana Otu Sakyi-Amo, is urging President Mahama to intervene and reverse the decision. In a passionate television interview with Channel One, Sakyi-Amo described the cancellation as both “unexpected and distressing,” warning that it could throw hundreds of caterers into financial disarray.
“This is not what he promised us,” she said. “He [President Mahama] didn’t promise putting us into debts or letting bankers chase us from our homes because we’ve borrowed money to buy foodstuffs.”
Sakyi-Amo emphasized that many caterers had already taken loans to purchase food in preparation for the new term. With contracts suddenly cancelled, they now risk loan defaults and potential eviction.
She added that while the increase in feeding grants was a welcome move by the new administration, the abrupt cancellation contradicts assurances made on the campaign trail to support and empower caterers.
GSFP Defends Move as Part of Restructuring
According to the GSFP, the termination forms part of a broader “restructuring exercise” intended to enhance the programme’s efficiency and long-term impact. The Secretariat indicated that new modalities for the recruitment of caterers will be announced soon, hinting at a possible overhaul of the selection process.
“As part of its ongoing restructuring exercise, the GSFP Secretariat will soon announce the modalities for the recruitment of new caterers,” the statement added.
Possible Disruptions to School Feeding
With public schools set to reopen within days, there is growing anxiety that pupils across the country could return to school without meals. For many children, especially in rural and underserved communities, the GSFP provides their only reliable source of daily nutrition.
The Caterers Association has issued a deadline for action, urging the President to respond by Monday to avoid service disruptions. “We are still pleading with His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to come out and speak through the ministry by Monday, so we can go back and cook for the children,” Sakyi-Amo said.
Uncertain Future Ahead
The decision has also sparked public debate on how such a vital social intervention programme can be managed to protect both service providers and the pupils it serves. While the need for accountability and reform is widely acknowledged, critics argue that reforms must be implemented in a way that does not destabilize livelihoods or disrupt essential services.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the government and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to provide clarity and direction. For now, hundreds of caterers wait anxiously—hoping that their voices will be heard and that their contracts, or at least their roles, will be reconsidered in the ongoing restructuring process.
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