The Executive Director of the Educate Africa Institute, a policy think tank, has disclosed that heads of Senior High Schools (SHS) across Ghana are struggling to provide three square meals for students under the government's Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

 Mr. William Boadi, the Executive Director, made this revelation while discussing the issue of educators pilfering food meant for student meals at Somè SHS in the Volta Region. 

He shared these concerns during an interview on Accra 100.5 FM's mid-day news on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

Mr. Boadi expressed deep concern about this situation, noting that it comes at a time when some SHS heads are resorting to barter trading to secure food for their students. He explained that these schools are engaging in exchanges with other schools to obtain necessary food supplies due to shortages. 

He highlighted the lengths to which headteachers are going to ensure their students are fed, emphasizing the unavailability of food supplies as a critical issue.

Condemning the actions of the bursar, assistant headteacher, and matron of Somè SHS, Mr. Boadi criticized them for pilfering food meant for the students. 

This condemnation follows the Ghana Education Service (GES) suspending three officials from Somè SHS amid an investigation into alleged food theft.

The officials suspended include Mr. Richard Ametorxe, the bursar; Ms. Yorm Dzikumu, the matron; and Mr. Alex Obuadi, the storekeeper.

 They have been instructed to hand over their duties to the headmaster with immediate effect. 

The investigation was prompted by a search conducted by alumni and an Assembly Member on the evening of Friday, May 24, during which the bursar and matron were found leaving the school premises with various food items. 

The search uncovered items such as tin tomatoes, mackerel, cleaning agents, and insecticide spray in the matron’s possession.

Additionally, two other staff members, including an assistant headmistress and a cook, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the scheme to steal food meant for the students.