Education Minister promises one-week timeline to clear GH¢50m Free SHS supplier arrears

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured members of the National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) that the government will take steps to settle outstanding payments owed under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme within one week.

The assurance follows a picketing exercise by members of the association at the Ministry of Education on Thursday, despite ongoing engagements between suppliers and officials of the Free SHS Secretariat over delayed payments.

The suppliers are demanding the release of approximately GH¢50 million in arrears for goods supplied to public senior high schools since 2023. The unpaid supplies include school uniforms, house dresses, and other essential items provided under the government’s flagship education programme.

During a meeting with the protesting suppliers, Mr Iddrisu acknowledged their frustrations and admitted that government delays in settling outstanding obligations had created difficulties for businesses that had already delivered goods and services.

“You are free to lament that you are unhappy about the government not honouring its obligations,” the Minister told the group.

He described their concerns as legitimate and assured them that the government would give urgent attention to the matter.

According to Mr Iddrisu, the outstanding liabilities extend beyond the figures initially presented and include supplies delivered during both the 2023 and 2024 academic years.

The Education Minister indicated that before payments are processed, the claims will undergo an audit and validation exercise to verify invoices, delivery records, and contractual obligations.

He stressed that the verification process is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of public funds.

To facilitate the process, Mr Iddrisu directed representatives of the suppliers to engage with key officials at the Ministry, including the Chief Director and the Director of Finance, to review the outstanding claims and complete the required documentation.

The minister said the validation exercise would help establish the exact amount owed to suppliers and expedite payment approvals.

Seeking to reassure the aggrieved suppliers, Mr Iddrisu pledged that government would work diligently to resolve the matter within a week.

“I give you my word and assurance that within a week we should be able to honour it,” he stated.

His comments were welcomed by the suppliers, who have repeatedly complained about the financial strain caused by delayed payments under the Free SHS programme.

The latest protest highlights ongoing financial challenges associated with the implementation of the Free SHS policy, one of Ghana’s most significant education reforms.

Over the years, suppliers, caterers, and service providers involved in the programme have periodically raised concerns over delayed payments, arguing that the arrears affect their ability to continue operations and meet financial obligations.

The National Association of Institutional Suppliers maintains that the prolonged delays have negatively impacted many businesses, with some suppliers struggling to sustain operations due to cash flow constraints.

Despite the Minister’s assurances, the association says it remains committed to ensuring that all outstanding debts are settled and has called for immediate action to clear the arrears.

The government is expected to begin the verification and validation process in the coming days as part of efforts to resolve the dispute and restore confidence among suppliers participating in the Free SHS programme.