The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cynthia Mamle Morrison, has issued a stern warning to caterers hired by the government to provide food for vulnerable groups, stating that no compensation will be given for procured foodstuff that has been deemed unsatisfactory.
The Minister’s announcement comes following reports of substandard food being provided to beneficiaries under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) and the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) programme. These two programmes are initiatives by the government aimed at providing nutritious meals to school children and cash transfers to vulnerable households, respectively.
According to the Minister, some caterers have been cutting corners and supplying substandard food to the vulnerable groups, compromising the health and wellbeing of the beneficiaries. She emphasized that the government will not tolerate such actions and that caterers found guilty of such will be held accountable.
Mamle Morrison stated, “We have received numerous complaints about the quality of food being provided to our beneficiaries. It is unacceptable that some caterers are taking advantage of these vulnerable groups by providing substandard food. We will not hesitate to terminate contracts with caterers who do not meet the required standards.”
The Minister also stressed the importance of proper food safety and hygiene practices in the preparation and delivery of meals. She urged caterers to adhere to the guidelines and standards set by the government to ensure the health and safety of the beneficiaries.
In addition to the warning, the Ministry has also launched an investigation into the reports of substandard food being provided to beneficiaries. The Minister assured the public that all allegations will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken against any caterers found to be in violation of the standards.
The Minister’s announcement has been met with mixed reactions from caterers and the public. Some caterers have expressed concern over the implications of the warning, stating that they may face financial losses if their contracts are terminated. However, others have welcomed the Minister’s stance, stating that it is necessary to ensure the wellbeing of the vulnerable groups.
Members of the public have also weighed in on the issue, with many expressing their support for the Minister’s decision to hold caterers accountable for the quality of food being provided to vulnerable groups. Some have called for stricter monitoring and oversight of the programmes to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
As the investigation into the reports of substandard food continues, the Minister has reiterated the government’s commitment to providing nutritious meals and support to vulnerable groups. She emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in the delivery of social services, stating that the government will not tolerate any form of negligence or exploitation of vulnerable groups.
