The Ghana National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has refuted claims that food prices for senior high schools (SHS) are undisclosed to school authorities, asserting that the pricing is a collaborative decision involving multiple stakeholders. Emmanuel Arthur, Head of Corporate Affairs at NAFCO, stated on Joy FM’s Newsnight on May 19 that the pricing mechanism is transparent and agreed upon by all relevant parties at the beginning of each academic year.
Structured Pricing Committee Process
Arthur explained that a dedicated pricing committee convenes annually to determine the cost of food items supplied to SHS under the government’s feeding program. This committee comprises representatives from key educational bodies, including the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), and NAFCO itself.
“At the beginning of the academic year, what we call the pricing committee meets. This committee comprises the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, CHASS and Buffer Stock. Together, we fix the prices,” Arthur stated.
Following the committee’s agreement on prices, the GES submits these figures to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for formal approval. Once the PPA grants its approval, the agreed-upon prices are communicated to all involved parties, paving the way for the commencement of food supplies.
“When approval comes, it is communicated to all parties and then supply takes place. So all parties are aware of the prices,” he added, directly addressing concerns raised by some headmasters who had claimed a lack of awareness regarding the cost of food items reaching their institutions.
Role of CHASS and Broader Distribution Network
Arthur acknowledged that not all headmasters might attend these pricing committee meetings directly. However, he emphasized that representatives from CHASS are integral to the process and are responsible for relaying the agreed-upon pricing decisions back to their members within the various senior high schools.
Furthermore, he clarified that the distribution of food under this program is not solely managed by the Buffer Stock Company. The Ghana Commodity Exchange also plays a role within the supply chain, indicating a multi-faceted approach to procurement and distribution.
Current Food Supply Status
Addressing the issue of food availability in schools, Arthur reported that no senior high school is currently facing food shortages. He highlighted that, for the first time in many years, schools have an abundance of food supplies, with some even experiencing storage challenges due to excess provisions.
“As we speak, no school can say they have food challenges. For the first time in many years, schools have more than they even need,” Arthur asserted, underscoring the current sufficiency of food provisions across the SHS network.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Transparency and Supply
The NAFCO’s clarification aims to address the perception of opacity in the SHS food supply chain. The ongoing dialogue between NAFCO, educational authorities, and school heads will be crucial in ensuring continued trust and operational efficiency. Stakeholders will likely monitor the effectiveness of the pricing committee’s decisions and the communication channels to CHASS. The consistent availability of food supplies, as reported, sets a positive precedent, but the long-term sustainability of this situation will depend on continued collaborative efforts and robust oversight of the procurement and distribution processes.
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