The National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) says it will proceed with its planned picketing at the Ministry of Education despite fresh assurances from government officials over outstanding payments owed to its members under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
The association is demanding the payment of about GH¢50 million for supplies delivered to public senior high schools since 2023.
The decision follows a meeting between NAIS and officials of the Free SHS Secretariat on Wednesday, June 10, where suppliers were briefed on efforts being made to process their claims and urged to remain patient.
However, NAIS says the assurances have not translated into actual payments and are therefore insufficient to halt the planned protest.
Speaking to Bullet News, the National President of the association, Emmanuel Ayivor, said members remain frustrated by the prolonged delay in settling the debt despite several engagements with government authorities.
According to him, suppliers of school uniforms, house dresses and school cloths have not been paid for goods supplied under the Free SHS programme since 2023.
Mr. Ayivor noted that while the association appreciates the engagement with the Free SHS Secretariat, it remains dissatisfied with the pace of efforts to settle the outstanding arrears.
He stressed that the picketing exercise scheduled for Thursday, June 11, will go ahead as planned until concrete steps are taken to clear the debt.
The association argues that the delay in payments is placing significant financial strain on suppliers and threatening the sustainability of businesses that have fulfilled contracts under the government’s flagship education programme.
NAIS says it hopes the demonstration will draw attention to the challenges facing suppliers and prompt urgent action from authorities to settle the outstanding claims.
