Accra: Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Education Service, Daniel Fenyi, has clarified that delays in the disbursement of Senior High School (SHS) feeding allocations are not due to a shortage of funds but rather efforts to ensure transparency and accountability. Speaking on Ghana Tonight on April 20, 2026, Fenyi explained that the current administration is prioritizing efficient and well-documented use of public funds amid longstanding audit concerns.
According to Ghana Web, Fenyi stated, "Indeed, the concern has not been an issue of lack of funds." He emphasized the administration's focus on the efficient disbursement of funds and addressing past audit concerns and infractions. The delays, he noted, are partly due to the need to verify records, correct discrepancies, and ensure that funds released are properly accounted for and used strictly for their intended purposes.
"It is about making sure every pesewa is accounted for and properly documented," Fenyi added, acknowledging that while such checks are necessary, they can lead to payment backlogs that appear as arrears.
Fenyi also highlighted ongoing stakeholder engagements aimed at developing a more sustainable and transparent payment framework to prevent future delays. He expressed optimism that reforms currently under discussion would improve efficiency in the system. "We anticipate that as discussions continue, we will arrive at a more transparent, audit-free framework to ensure timely disbursement," he said.
His comments come as the Ghana Education Trust Fund announced the release of GHS199.47 million to senior high and technical school heads to settle outstanding feeding arrears. The disbursement follows an emergency meeting convened by Haruna Iddrisu, which brought together key stakeholders including the GETFund Administrator, Paul Adjei, and leadership from the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools and the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions.
The meeting was prompted by growing concerns over unpaid bills for perishable food supplies, which had triggered warnings of potential disruptions to school operations if the situation persisted. The latest release is expected to ease pressure on school authorities and stabilize feeding arrangements under Ghana's Free SHS programme, helping to avert interruptions to academic activities across the country.