Free SHS: Food suppliers to picket at Buffer Stock today over GH¢200m unpaid arrears
On Tuesday, June 13, the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company are expected to be picketed by members of the National Food Suppliers Association. The reason behind this action is the government’s failure to settle the arrears owed to the association’s members, which have been pending for over two years.
To address this issue, the group previously issued a 14-day ultimatum to the National Food Buffer Stock Company, demanding the payment of their outstanding arrears. Failure to meet this demand would result in a series of picketing activities.
Kwaku Amedume, the spokesperson for the National Food Suppliers Association, expressed the group’s determination not to be swayed any longer by empty promises from the government. Amedume stated that their presence at the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company would extend beyond Tuesday, as they plan to continue the picketing throughout the week until their outstanding payments are made.
The government currently owes the association an amount slightly less than GH¢200 million, and as of now, no payments have been received. Consequently, the members of the association have decided to discontinue working through the Buffer Stock, opting instead to collaborate with the Commodity Exchange for their supply contracts. However, they are resolute in their demand for the payment of their arrears for the years 2021 and 2022.
In summary, members of the National Food Suppliers Association will engage in a picketing action at the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company. The motive behind this protest is the government’s failure to settle the arrears owed to the association’s members, spanning a period of over two years. The association had previously issued an ultimatum, giving the government 14 days to fulfill its payment obligations. The spokesperson emphasized that the picketing activities would extend beyond Tuesday until the owed funds are disbursed.
Source – citinewsroom.com
