Ministry of Education Pledges GH¢50 Million to Clear Free SHS Debt Following Suppliers' Protest

The Ministry of Education has committed to settling nearly GH¢50 million in outstanding debts owed to the National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) for uniforms and clothing provided under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme. This breakthrough follows a spirited protest by suppliers at the Ministry's premises on June 11, 2023, where members demanded payment for contracts fulfilled as far back as 2023. The government has assured the association that the disbursement process will begin within seven days, providing much-needed relief to the struggling businesses.

Despite receiving earlier assurances during a meeting on June 10, NAIS members proceeded with their planned picket, citing a two-year history of broken promises and escalating financial distress. NAIS President Emmanuel Ayivor confirmed that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu personally accepted their petition and outlined a specific roadmap for clearing the arrears. The government attributed the significant delay in payments to a rigorous audit process required to verify claims and ensure fiscal transparency before the funds could be released.

According to the proposed payment schedule, the debt will be cleared in three distinct batches, starting with an initial payment of GH¢38 million next week. The remaining balance is expected to be settled by the end of June. The delay has had a severe impact on the suppliers, many of whom reported taking out high-interest bank loans to meet their contractual obligations. Mr. Ayivor emphasized that the timely release of these funds is essential for the survival of their companies and their ability to continue supporting the national education infrastructure.

This resolution addresses a critical bottleneck in the Free SHS supply chain, as suppliers had previously warned that further delays could jeopardize the availability of uniforms for the upcoming academic term. While the government's commitment has temporarily eased tensions, the situation underscores ongoing concerns regarding the financial sustainability of the Free SHS programme. Stakeholders now look forward to the full execution of the payment plan to ensure that academic operations remain uninterrupted and that local institutional suppliers remain viable partners in the education sector.