Due to difficulties obtaining food, colleges of education have asked for approval to let students be responsible for their own dietary needs beginning November 7, 2022.
In a letter to the Ministry of Education, the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) said that the difficulties were caused by obligations owed to food suppliers.
As a result of colleges' debt to these vendors, food providers have refused to supply any food to them, driving up food prices to exorbitant levels.
In Ghana, there are more than 40 colleges of education.
According to PRINCOF, "it has become increasingly difficult for Principals to continue to serve three meals a day to pupils at Six Cedis, Fifty Pesewas (GHS6.50)" because a request for an increase in feeding funding granted to schools has not been accepted.
Additionally, the institutions asked that "the already strained academic year is not disrupted."
In response, the Ministry of Education stated that it was trying to quickly settle any unpaid debts to institutions of education in order to support new teachers.
On Facebook, Kwesi Kwarteng, the Education Ministry's public relations officer, stated that talks with the Finance Ministry are taking place "to rapidly resolve any outstanding obligations/commitments to the Colleges of Education."