No Vegetables, No Meals: Buffer Stock Raises Alarm Over SHS Feeding Challenges
Perishable Food Gaps Threaten SHS Feeding System Despite Stable Supply of Non-Perishables
- Osmond Amuah warns lack of vegetables is disrupting school meals.
- Non-perishable supply remains stable through National Food Buffer Stock Company.
- Payment delays and rising enrolment continue to strain the system.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, Osmond Amuah, has raised concerns about ongoing feeding difficulties in senior high schools, warning that the lack of vegetables is severely disrupting meal preparation for students.
Mr. Amuah acknowledged that while some progress has been made in addressing supply challenges, a critical gap remains — the provision of perishable food items.
According to him, the root of the problem lies in how food supplies are structured. While the Buffer Stock Company, with support from the Ghana Commodity Exchange, ensures the supply of non-perishable items, schools are responsible for sourcing perishables such as vegetables on their own.
He explained that the company currently supplies 18 categories of non-perishable food items — both pre-packaged and raw — helping to stabilise part of the school feeding system. Its hybrid structure as a state-owned but commercially run entity also enables it to secure financing and coordinate deliveries efficiently.
However, Mr. Amuah stressed that these efforts are undermined when schools are unable to procure essential perishables. Without vegetables and other fresh ingredients, he noted, preparing meals becomes nearly impossible.
He further pointed to delays in payments for perishables already supplied to schools as a major contributor to the crisis. According to him, these delays are having a direct impact on students, as suppliers become reluctant to continue deliveries without timely compensation.
Placing students at the centre of the issue, he called for urgent attention to resolve the bottlenecks affecting the system.
Mr. Amuah dismissed claims that the delays are intentional, attributing them instead to structural and financial challenges. He explained that procurement concerns and audit requirements have led to more cautious disbursement processes, complicating the timely release of funds.
The situation is further strained by the rising number of students in senior high schools, with enrolment continuing to grow significantly each year.
While tensions around food supply have somewhat eased, Mr. Amuah emphasised the need for long-term reforms to ensure a more reliable and sustainable feeding system for Ghana’s students.
