Two Senior High School leaders have publicly questioned the Ghana National Food Buffer Stock Company. They state the company consistently fails to provide the cost of food items delivered to their schools. This issue began in 2024. It makes auditing and checking financial accountability very difficult.
The heads of these schools expressed their worries during meetings with the Public Accounts Committee. The Auditor-General had previously identified missing financial details. These were for many bags and cartons of food. These food items are part of a government supply program. School leaders said they often receive waybills. These documents do not include the monetary value of the food. This makes it impossible for schools to confirm the actual cost of the supplies.
This situation impacts Ghana's public finance management story. Transparency in government spending is crucial. The Ghana National Food Buffer Stock Company manages large volumes of food. These go to essential services like schools. A lack of cost information hinders efforts to track public funds. It prevents efficient resource allocation for education. Prior events have shown that robust financial oversight is key to preventing waste. The Auditor-General’s reports often highlight such accountability gaps.
Hassana Yahya, Headmistress of Ahamansu Islamic Senior High School, shared her experience. She told the committee that her school tried repeatedly to get these details. The Buffer Stock Company did not respond. Felix Akpah, Headmaster of St. Mary’s Seminary Senior High School, agreed with her. He said this problem has been ongoing for years. He noted that deliveries sometimes come without clear supplier or cost information. Schools just sign to confirm receipt.
The lack of clear costings means schools cannot independently check the value of the food. This practice raises serious questions about transparency in government spending. Committee members and audit officials are concerned. They believe this undermines efforts to properly evaluate how money is spent on school feeding logistics. This issue could lead to calls for tighter regulatory oversight. It also highlights the need for improved supplier accountability mechanisms. Stakeholders will be watching for any changes in the Buffer Stock Company's reporting procedures. The Auditor-General's office may pursue further investigations.