Government has directed that rice supplied to schools across the country be procured centrally through the Ghana Buffer Stock Company Limited as part of efforts to ensure the use of locally produced rice in school feeding.
In a directive issued from the Presidency and sighted by 3news, John Dramani Mahama expressed concern that several schools continue to purchase imported rice despite an earlier government policy encouraging institutions to source food items locally.
The directive recalls a policy introduced last year to decentralise food procurement for schools, allowing school authorities to source food from their local communities. The move was aimed at strengthening domestic agriculture and supporting local value chains.
Part of that policy specifically encouraged the purchase of locally produced rice to improve market access for Ghanaian rice farmers and reduce the country’s dependence on imported food commodities.
However, reports reaching the Presidency indicate that some schools have continued to procure imported rice for their feeding programmes, a development the President says undermines efforts to support local farmers and retain value within the national economy.
To address the situation, the President has ordered the immediate reallocation and centralisation of rice procurement for schools.
“The Ministry of Education is therefore requested to take the necessary steps, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Buffer Stock Company Limited, to ensure the effective implementation of this directive, including the establishment of appropriate coordination and distribution mechanisms to facilitate the timely supply of local rice to schools,” the directive indicated
It explained that, “The objective of this measure is to guarantee compliance with Government policy, strengthen local rice production, and ensure a stable and transparent supply chain for schools.”
Government says the measure is intended to ensure compliance with national policy, strengthen local rice production and create a more stable and transparent supply chain for food supplied to schools.
The Presidency has asked the Education Ministry to treat the directive as urgent and keep the Office of the President informed of the implementation arrangements.
By Eric Mawuena Egbeta
