The Minister for Education, Hon. Osei Adu Twum says, he has released a total amount of Four Hundred and Eighteen Million Ghana Cedis (Ghc 418,000,000) to the National Food Buffer Stock Company between the periods of 2021, 2022 and 2023. One Hundred Million Ghana Cedis (Ghc 100, 000,000), Two Hundred and Eighty Three Million Ghana Cedis (283,000,000) and Thirty Five Million Ghana Cedis (Ghc 35, 000,000)) respectively.
This came to light during a meeting between the National Food Suppliers Association and the Minister for Education held in Accra.
However, the Minister has pledged that, the Ministry of Finance is in the process of releasing part of their arrears this week and that government is not in the position to pay their arrears in full.
In a press release issued and signed by the Spokesperson for National Food Suppliers Association, Mr. Kwaku Amedume, the Association warned that they are not prepared to accept any part payment of the 2022 arrears, given the fact that individual members have accumulated interests on their loans contracted from their respective banks.
“It is worthy to note, that, even though the Minister asserts to have released an amount of Ghc 283 000,000 in 2022 to the Buffer Stock Company for payment of arrears in 2022, members of the National Suppliers Association is yet to receive a penny of the said amount”.
Below is the full press release :
11th July, 2023.
PRESS RELEASE
The leadership of the National Food Suppliers Association met with the Minister of Education, Hon. Adu Twum on the 11th of July, 2023, at the Ministry of Education to discuss the indebtedness of the National Food Buffer Stock Company to the members of National Food Suppliers Association.
According to the Minister of Education he has released a total amount of Four Hundred and Eighteen Million Ghana Cedis (Ghc 418,000,000) to the National Food Buffer Stock Company between the periods of 2021, 2022 and 2023. One Hundred Million Ghana Cedis (Ghc 100, 000,000), Two Hundred and Eighty Three Million Ghana Cedis (283,000,000) and Thirty Five Million Ghana Cedis (Ghc 35, 000,000)) respectively.
It is worthy to note, that, even though the Minister asserts to have released an amount of Ghc 283 000,000 in 2022 to the Buffer Stock Company for payment of arrears in 2022, members of the National Suppliers Association is yet to receive a penny of the said amount.
The Hon. Minister intimated to the executives of the National Food Suppliers Association that, in January 2023, the amount paid ( Ghc 35, 000,000) was the remaining balance of the 2022 arrears owed to the National Food Suppliers Association.
The Minister pledged, that,the Ministry of Finance is in the process of releasing part of our arrears this week and that government is not in the position to pay our arrears in full.
We wish to state, that, we are not prepared to accept part payment of the 2022 arrears, given the fact that individual members have accumulated interests on their loans contracted from their respective banks.
Yours Truly,
KWAKU AMEDUME
(Spokesperson)
0244047325
