The government has assured members of the National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) that payments for outstanding debts under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme will commence next week.
The assurance follows a picketing exercise by the association at the Ministry of Education on Thursday, June 11, to demand the settlement of arrears owed to suppliers.
According to NAIS, the government owes its members approximately GH¢50 million for uniforms, house dresses and other school clothing supplied to senior high schools since 2023.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News with Sammie Wiafe, the President of NAIS, Emmanuel Ayivor, said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu personally received the association’s petition and provided an update on plans to clear the debt.
“Yes, the minister was present. He took our petition himself, and he graciously informed us that by next week, we will be paid for the first batch,” Ayivor said.
He explained that the outstanding payments have been divided into three batches, with the first tranche amounting to about GH¢38 million.
“We were told that the first batch is ready. The second batch, too, has gone to GETFund. They are on it, and they are expecting that by the close of the month, our arrears will be cleared. By next week, surely payments will commence. The first batch will be paid around GH¢38 million, and the rest will follow subsequently,” he stated.
The suppliers had earlier embarked on the protest to express frustration over the prolonged delay in payments, which they say has severely affected their operations.
During the picketing exercise, Ayivor noted that many suppliers had relied on bank loans to execute government contracts and were now facing mounting financial difficulties due to the unpaid arrears.
He added that some members are struggling to retain workers as cash flow challenges continue to worsen.
The association says it expects the government to honour its commitment and settle all outstanding debts by the end of the month.
