Allow Headmasters to Purchase Food for their Students – Mahama Supports CHASS

Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his support for the demand made by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), urging the government to permit headmasters and mistresses to directly purchase food supplies for their respective Senior High Schools (SHS).

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 elections highlighted that this step would alleviate the “unnecessary obstacles” hindering the provision of meals in SHSs.

Taking to social media on Thursday, October 12, Mr. Mahama endorsed CHASS’s request, emphasizing its alignment with his commitment to granting school administrators the opportunity to procure food items for their students.

“I concur with the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) regarding the need to allow Senior High School management to independently source food items for their students,” Mr. Mahama stated.

He further pointed out, “This policy change is consistent with my earlier announcement in Navrongo in November 2020 and will eliminate the unnecessary challenges impeding the provision of meals to SHS students in Ghana.”

CHASS has appealed to the government to empower headmasters and mistresses to directly acquire food supplies for their respective Senior High Schools.

The Conference voiced its concern over the difficulties they encounter when dealing with food suppliers for their schools.

Addressing the 61st National Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 11, the President of CHASS, Reverend Steven Owusu Sekyere, urged the government to respond to their request.

He stressed that they are facing challenges when dealing with suppliers, and this situation is unjust.

“We call upon the management to ensure timely disbursement of the entire funding for schools, to reduce our workload, and we also advocate for a significant increase in the allocation of funds for all activities to meet the current market prices of goods and services,” Rev. Sekyere stated.

He added, “This will ensure that our students have access to the necessary resources for their educational needs.” The former president praised this request, emphasizing its alignment with the right direction.