Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has asserted that the Akufo-Addo administration cleared all arrears owed to caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme before leaving office.Responding to Finance Minister-nominee Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s statement during his vetting before Parliament's Appointments Committee on January 13, where Forson mentioned that some caterers were yet to be paid, Afenyo-Markin clarified the matter.

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“I don't know the quantum of arrears. We need to know the amount of money that the government of Ghana owes these caterers,” Dr. Forson stated during the session.In rebuttal, Afenyo-Markin insisted, "Government paid all caterers. It is only this term that began that government owes because the term will have to end. I want you to know that I am aware that government paid all outstanding arrears to caterers.

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The NPP government, upon leaving office, paid all caterers."His remarks align with a recent confirmation by the National President of the School Feeding Caterers Association, Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi, who stated earlier in January that some caterers had begun receiving their outstanding third-term payments.This followed a promise by the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, to ensure the payments were settled.

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Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi told Citi News, “By the grace of God, they honoured their promise. They paid on December 31, around 6 pm. Some of the caterers have been able to access the funds on January 1 because some banks have their e-zwich machines outside.“But others complained that they were not able to access it. Maybe by tomorrow [January 2], everybody will receive an alert.

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Not all of them have been able to access their accounts because today [January 1] is a holiday. Some of them too are living in rural areas where they don’t have access to banks. Until working days like January 2 up to Friday, they will call to confirm receipt or otherwise.

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”Meanwhile, Nana Amoh Otu Sekyi has expressed optimism that the outstanding salaries dating back to 2019 will also be settled soon, giving the indication some monies must be paid by the government.

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