Accra: The Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has underscored the growing need for affordable food services within large corporate and institutional premises such as hospitals, banks, ministries, and major private-sector establishments.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings presented a statement on the floor of Parliament on Monday, noting that many workers struggle to access reasonably priced meals during working hours, a situation that affects productivity and wellbeing. She explained that when food services are deliberately included in institutional designs and priced to be affordable, it helps reduce the pressure that forces vendors and workers into unauthorized spaces.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings proposed that relevant regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Works and Housing, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and the Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies, develop guidelines that encourage large institutions and public facilities to include affordable cafeterias or food joints within their premises as part of planning approvals for major developments. She emphasized that such measures would not only improve access to meals but would also enhance workplace efficiency and reduce congestion in unauthorized vending areas.
Mr. Jerry Shaib Ahmed, NPP Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, supported the call and noted that having eatery centres within ministries and corporate institutions would promote good health and productivity among workers. Mr. Richard Acheampong, NDC Member of Parliament for Bia East, also urged Parliament to operationalise its canteen, which has been out of service for over a decade, to allow MPs easy access to decent meals within the House.