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The Chairman of the Greater Accra Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Paul Amoasi Baidoo, has issued a dire warning regarding the food shortages facing Senior High Schools (SHS) in the region, stating that if immediate action is not taken, there will be no food to feed students by Monday, January 13, 2025.
“Greater Accra has only rice to feed the students, which will not be sufficient in the coming days. We do not have maize, beans, and other ingredients for the schools in the region,” Mr. Baidoo said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, expressing his deep concern over the current situation.
Mr. Baidoo, who also serves as the headmaster of St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, explained that many schools, including those like Labone SHS and Accra Girls SHS, are currently providing only rice for all three daily meals—breakfast, lunch, and supper. This lack of variety and nutritious options is placing a significant strain on both students and staff, as they await the necessary resources to resolve the issue.
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He highlighted that his own school, a day school, serves hot meals to students but is still grappling with food supply challenges. “My school, which is a day school, only serves hot meals for the students,” Mr. Baidoo said, reinforcing the extent of the food crisis.
According to Mr. Baidoo, the Greater Accra CHASS leadership had appealed to the government to postpone the reopening of schools to January 3, 2025, to allow more time for the necessary food supplies and outstanding bursaries to be provided. However, this appeal was not granted, and the reopening proceeded as planned.
In light of the government’s decision, Mr. Baidoo emphasised the urgent need for action. “If by Monday, January 13, 2025, nothing is done to address the shortage of rice in stock, there will be no food to feed the students,” he stated. This strong warning highlights the gravity of the situation as schools struggle to make ends meet in terms of feeding their students.
The financial strain faced by schools was further highlighted by a communiqué from the CHASS National Secretary, Mr. Primus Baro, issued on December 18, 2024. The communiqué stressed the ongoing financial difficulties and the inability of schools to secure food and other essential resources despite prior assurances from the government.
As a solution, Mr. Baidoo has supported the National CHASS leadership’s appeal to parents, encouraging them to contribute towards feeding their children in school during this challenging period. This request for parental assistance underscores the urgent need for community involvement to prevent disruptions to students’ education and well-being.
In response to the food crisis and the broader financial issues raised by CHASS, the Ghana Education Service (GES) issued a statement confirming that SHS students were expected to report to school on January 3, 2025, while primary and junior high schools would reopen on January 8, 2025. GES also reassured the public that the leadership was in discussions with the Ministry of Education to address the ongoing concerns.
Mr. Baidoo’s comments underscore the urgency of addressing the food insecurity in Greater Accra’s SHS institutions. The situation has reached a critical point where swift intervention is required to avoid further complications. “The situation is dire, and if nothing is done quickly, there will be no food to feed the students,” he warned, calling for an immediate response from both the government and other stakeholders to ensure the continuity of academic activities without further disruption.
