In a recent statement, the Upper East Regional Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Ayinbisa, vehemently criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for propagating false information about the Ghana School Feeding Program (GSFP) in the Upper East Region.
Ayinbisa further described the NDC’s claims as malicious and rooted in their desperate pursuit of political power.
He clarified that the School Feeding Program was initially introduced by the John Agyekum Kuffour government in 2005. The program’s objective was to enhance food security and reduce hunger, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal 2.
Over the years, the program has witnessed significant growth in terms of the number of children served and the financial commitment from the government.
The budget allocation for the GSFP has increased, with the feeding cost per child rising from GH¢ 0.80 in 2016 to GH¢ 1.20 and GH¢ 3.20 in subsequent years. The number of children benefiting from the program has also increased from around 1.6 million in 2016 to over 3.3 million currently. This expansion demonstrates the government’s dedication to achieving 100% coverage in the Upper East Region.
Ayinbisa acknowledged that there are outstanding payments to caterers, a standard practice within the program. However, he assured caterers that efforts were underway to settle these arrears. The NPP government remains committed to the continuity of the program, despite the economic challenges faced by the country.
Furthermore, Ayinbisa refuted the NDC’s claim that caterers have not fulfilled their contractual obligations since the reopening of schools. According to investigations, the majority of caterers are diligently providing meals for school children, with any delays being isolated incidents and not indicative of government negligence.
According to Peter Ayinbisa, in an attempt to deflect attention from their lack of constructive criticism, the NDC included unrelated issues such as capitation grants and dual desks in the North East region.
He dismissed these claims as baseless, citing the NPP government’s increased budgetary allocations for education, including a significant rise in capitation grants.
Ayinbisa challenged the NDC to substantiate their allegations of caterers being owed for three terms and a desk deficit in the North East region. He emphasized the government’s commitment to Ghana’s development, particularly in education, hunger reduction, and sustainable development. Ayinbisa urged the public to disregard the NDC’s statement and have confidence in the proven track record of the NPP administration.
Source: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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