‘We Haven’t Seen Evidence of Poor Food’ – CHASS Responds to Education Minister’s Concerns on SHS Food Quality

The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has expressed surprise and disappointment in response to recent comments from the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, about the quality of food served in senior high schools.

The Minister raised concerns over what he termed the “poor quality of food” being served to students, hinting at the possibility of reversing the decision that allowed school heads to directly procure food.

This decision was part of the NDC’s education policy, aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of the school feeding program by giving school heads and bursars the authority to purchase food locally.

In reaction, CHASS National Secretary, Primus Baro, emphasized that the comments were unexpected and were never raised in any official discussions with the Ministry or the Ghana Education Service.

“We have not received any formal reports suggesting poor-quality food. On the contrary, feedback points to improvements since headteachers began procuring food themselves,” Baro told Citi News on May 5, 2025.

While Baro clarified that CHASS isn’t insisting on maintaining control over food procurement, he noted that the current system was introduced to address challenges faced under the previous centralized model, such as delays and subpar food supplies. “We’re open to whatever decision the government takes, but we expect that, if centralized procurement returns, food will be delivered on time and in the correct quantities,” he added.

Baro also called for any concerns about food quality to be addressed internally, rather than publicly, to avoid creating a misleading impression based on isolated incidents. On funding, he acknowledged some delays in recent disbursements due to administrative changes but reassured that funds had been released, though some arrears remain unpaid.