“We only have rice to feed SHS students in Greater Accra” – CHASS chairman raises food shortage alarm
Greater Accra SHS Face Severe Food Shortages, CHASS Chairman Raises Alarm
Paul Amoasi Baidoo, Chairman of the Greater Accra Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), has raised serious concerns about the severe lack of essential food supplies to feed Senior High School (SHS) students in the Greater Accra Region.
“Right now, schools only have rice available, and even that will run out in a few days,” Mr. Amoasi revealed during an interview with the Ghana News Agency. “Furthermore, there’s no maize, beans, or other critical ingredients to sustain the schools.”
To address the crisis, Mr. Amoasi explained that he had already communicated these urgent concerns, along with outstanding bursary issues, to the regional CHASS director. However, he emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent the situation from worsening.
Food Crisis Forces Schools to Depend Solely on Rice
The ongoing food crisis compelled the national leadership of CHASS to propose postponing the reopening of SHS to January 3, 2025. However, despite their appeal, the government rejected the request, forcing schools to reopen without adequate supplies.
As a result, Mr. Amoasi, who also serves as the Headmaster of St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, highlighted that his school, a day institution, can only serve students hot meals. Meanwhile, boarding schools such as Labone SHS and Accra Girls SHS have been left with no choice but to rely exclusively on rice for all meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“If we don’t receive fresh rice supplies by Monday, January 13, 2025, schools will completely run out of food to feed the students,” he warned. Consequently, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
CHASS Appeals to Parents for Assistance
Given the dire circumstances, the national leadership of CHASS has issued an appeal to parents, asking them to assist in providing food for their children. Mr. Amoasi supported this call, emphasizing how critical parental support is during this period.
In a communiqué dated December 18, 2024, CHASS National Secretary Primus Baro outlined the financial and logistical struggles schools currently face. Moreover, he expressed disappointment that these challenges persist despite repeated assurances from the government to address them.
GES Reassures the Public
Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service (GES), through a statement signed by its Head of Public Relations, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, confirmed that SHS students would resume classes on January 3, 2025, as scheduled. Additionally, primary and junior high schools will reopen on January 8, 2025.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by CHASS, the GES assured the public that its leadership is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education to resolve the food supply challenges as soon as possible.
Critical Concerns Remain
Nevertheless, the lack of sufficient food supplies remains a pressing issue, threatening both the well-being of students and the smooth operation of schools across the Greater Accra Region. Until a concrete resolution is reached, the situation continues to pose significant challenges for educational institutions.
SOURCE : VIBEZANDTRENDZ.COM
