Vendors of the One Hot Meal programme have raised urgent concerns over unpaid arrears and delays in contract renewals, warning that their financial struggles are affecting both themselves and the students they serve.
The One Hot Meal initiative, introduced by the New Patriotic Party government in 2016, provides a hot meal specifically for students in secondary and technical day schools across Ghana. The programme is pre-financed and managed by the Ministry of Education and has been in operation for almost nine years.
Most vendors’ contracts expired in September 2025, but some contracts are still active in a few schools.
According to the vendors, the Ministry of Education requested all necessary documentation for contract renewal and arrears payment, which has been submitted. However, no payments or contract renewals have been processed.
Under the terms of their contracts, vendors are required to pre-finance the meals and are supposed to be reimbursed within six weeks. Many vendors report that they have not received payment for over eleven months, leaving them under severe financial strain.
Loans have accumulated, interest continues to mount, and vendors say they are being pressured by both bankers and suppliers.
Efforts to meet with the Education Minister to address the grievances have been unsuccessful. Vendors say they have visited the ministry three times with representatives from all 16 regions, but their concerns remain unresolved.
The delay in payments is also affecting the students who rely on the program. Many beneficiaries of One Hot Meal come from underprivileged backgrounds, and the program provides them with their only substantial meal of the day, encouraging regular school attendance. Vendors warn that prolonged disruptions could undermine the program’s benefits.
In conclusion, the vendors have appealed to the government to intervene and resolve the issues, emphasizing the urgent need for payment of arrears and contract renewals to sustain the program and support both vendors and students.
Read full statement below.
Source: citinewsroom.com
