The Ghanaian government has failed to pay suppliers of food items for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program, with Rostella Enterprise alone awaiting payment for 19 months. This delay affects numerous micro-business owners who supplied food in the fourth quarter of 2024, despite a forensic audit in July 2025 confirming the legitimacy of their deliveries.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, previously stated that no arrears existed and praised the sound management of the economy. However, this claim contradicts the reality faced by suppliers like Rostella Enterprise. These businesses provided essential food items to senior high schools under the Free SHS policy, a flagship government initiative.
This situation highlights a broader concern about partisan politics influencing government business and payments. Many suppliers, who are not politically affiliated, are being denied contracts and payments due to perceived loyalty to the previous administration. This practice undermines the principle that government business should be based on competence and value for money, not political allegiance.
In September 2024, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, personally requested Rostella Enterprise to supply maize to schools in the Ashanti Region. The company, managed by the wife of a public servant, was recommended by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) for its reliability. Despite initial reluctance, the manageress mobilised resources and supplied the food items, trusting in the government's commitment to payment.
The new government in 2025 initiated a forensic audit of these supplies before making payments. Following the audit's conclusion in July 2025, the President announced that all outstanding legitimate payments would resume. Both the National Food Buffer Stock Company and the Ghana Commodity Exchange encouraged Rostella Enterprise to register for new supplies, for which the company paid GHS 5000 in registration fees for each institution.
However, Rostella Enterprise has not received any new contracts since then. Officials at these institutions have become elusive, and one key officer at Buffer Stock stated he was not part of the allocation committee. This suggests that new suppliers, ostensibly loyal to the current government, are being prioritised for payments from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
The delay in payments for forensically audited and legitimate supplies raises questions about the government's financial priorities. While the government claims to be saving money for future payments under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), it has failed to settle debts to legitimate suppliers. This disparity suggests a double standard, where political considerations outweigh the timely payment for essential services.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, in an interview on Ghana Television on August 5, acknowledged the issue. The continued non-payment to these suppliers, some for as long as 19 months, jeopardises their businesses and livelihoods. It also sends a negative signal to potential future suppliers about the reliability of government contracts.
The situation demands immediate attention to ensure that all legitimate suppliers are paid promptly, regardless of perceived political affiliations. This would uphold the integrity of government procurement processes and foster a more equitable business environment in Ghana.