Paul Amoasi Baidoo, Chairman of the Greater Accra Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), has voiced serious concerns about the lack of essential food supplies to feed Senior High School (SHS) students in the Greater Accra Region.
“Currently, the only food item available is rice, and even that will run out in a few days,” Mr. Amoasi disclosed in an interview with the Ghana News Agency. “There’s no maize, beans, or other essential ingredients to sustain the schools.”
He revealed that he had already communicated the food shortage crisis, as well as outstanding bursary issues, to the regional CHASS director for urgent action.
The dire situation had earlier led the national leadership of CHASS to request a postponement of the reopening of SHS to January 3, 2025. However, the government rejected this appeal, leaving schools to grapple with food insecurity as students returned.
Mr. Amoasi, who also serves as the Headmaster of St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, highlighted that his school, which operates as a day school, serves only hot meals to students. Meanwhile, boarding schools such as Labone SHS and Accra Girls SHS are forced to rely solely on rice for all meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“If the rice stock isn’t replenished by Monday, January 13, 2025, schools will completely run out of food to feed the students,” he warned, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Appeal to Parents
The National Leadership of CHASS has called on parents to assist with providing food for their children, a request Mr. Amoasi supports given the pressing circumstances.
In a communiqué dated December 18, 2024, CHASS National Secretary Primus Baro outlined the financial and logistical struggles schools face, noting that these challenges persist despite repeated assurances from the government to address the issues.
GES Response
The Ghana Education Service (GES), in a statement signed by its Head of Public Relations, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, confirmed that SHS students would resume classes on January 3, 2025, as scheduled. Primary and Junior High Schools are set to reopen on January 8, 2025.
The GES acknowledged the concerns raised by CHASS and assured the public that its leadership is working closely with the Ministry of Education to resolve the ongoing food supply issues.
While stakeholders await a concrete resolution, the lack of sufficient food supplies remains a critical challenge, threatening the well-being of students and the smooth operation of schools in the Greater Accra Region.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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