The National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) has vowed to proceed with its planned picket at the Ministry of Education on Thursday, June 11, despite fresh assurances from government officials regarding outstanding payments owed to its members under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
The association is demanding the payment of approximately GH¢50 million for supplies delivered under the programme since 2023.
The decision follows a meeting with officials of the Free SHS Secretariat on Wednesday, June 10, during which the suppliers were briefed on efforts being made to process their claims and urged to exercise patience.
In a statement issued on June 3, NAIS said the protest had become necessary due to the prolonged delay in settling debts owed to suppliers of uniforms, house dresses and school cloths to public senior high schools.
According to the association, its members have not received payment for goods supplied since 2023 despite several engagements and appeals to the relevant authorities.
However, speaking to Citi News, President of the association, Emmanuel Ayivor, said repeated assurances from government had failed to result in actual payments and maintained that the planned picket would go ahead as scheduled.
He indicated that while members welcomed the engagement with the Free SHS Secretariat, they remained dissatisfied with the continued delays and were determined to press ahead with the protest until concrete action is taken to settle the outstanding debt.
