A member of the Government Communications team, Ellen Ama Daaku, has debunked claims that schools are going to close down over the non-payment of the arrears of food suppliers.
Her comments follow claims by Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, that schools will shut down if issues regarding payments of Food Suppliers under the Free Senior High School Programme are not resolved by close of the week.
Dr. Apaak stressed that the food suppliers would not be able to supply food to schools if their arrears are not released over to them.
However, in a July 6, interview on TV3, Madam Ellen Daaku replied that “I do not think the schools are going to shut down.”
“If the money has been given, how did you share it? Buffer Stock must explain,” she stated after recounting that a claim was made earlier that the Ministry of Finance had not released money to the Buffer Stock Company but the Ministry came out to say otherwise.
She further emphasised that the Buffer Stock Company must address the concerns of the food suppliers who have been picketing at their office.
“Speak to the suppliers and pay them,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, the Food Suppliers have been picketing at the premises of the National Buffer Stock Company.
According to them they are under intense pressure to pay off their loans they used for work.
They also expressed concerns that the loans would attract huge interests if they don’t pay back early.