The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman of Bolgatanga Senior High School, Mr. Leonard Anafo, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to consider scrapping the National Buffer Stock Company. He suggests that purchasing power be returned to the heads of secondary schools across the country.
The National Buffer Stock Company was introduced by the previous government to support the flagship Free Senior High School policy by maintaining a stockpile of essential food items like rice, beans, and cooking oil. This initiative aims to prevent disruptions in school feeding programs due to sudden shortages in local markets. By purchasing food during low-price periods and releasing it during high-demand times, the buffer stock helps schools access food at relatively stable costs. Additionally, the company conducts quality checks on food items before distribution, ensuring that students receive nutritious meals.
Despite these intentions, schools have faced significant food shortages, leading to instances where students have had only one meal a day or even none for several days. Mr. Anafo expressed his concerns, stating that the government’s reliance on the National Buffer Stock Company has created numerous challenges. He emphasized that parents often have to intervene and purchase ingredients themselves to ensure that schools provide adequate meals.
Mr. Anafo believes that if purchasing power were granted to school heads, they would be better equipped to address food shortages, as they would be more directly involved in managing food supplies. He described the government’s introduction of the National Buffer Stock Company as a failure, stating, “If I had the power, I would scrap it off.” He further lamented, “The feeding program has caused a lot of problems. The food supplied months ago is inadequate, and we, the PTA, sometimes have to write checks for the school to buy essential items like sugar.”
He also appealed to the government to avoid imposing a flat fee payment for parents, noting that financial capabilities vary significantly between the southern and northern regions of Ghana.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Ayuureneeya A.