I’ve Never Regretted — Former Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah On Snubbing Caterers Who Petitioned Him In 2023 Over Unpaid Arrears And Increase In Feeding Allocation 

Former Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah has said he has no regrets about refusing to receive school feeding caterers who petitioned him over unpaid arrears and calls for an increase in their feeding allocation.

The incident dates back to April 2023, when a group of caterers gathered at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to demand payment of outstanding monies and an increase in the amount allocated per child for meals.

At the time, the caterers said the GH¢0.97 per child was no longer enough to cover the rising cost of food and appealed for an increase to GH¢3. They also complained about unpaid arrears.

A video from the incident showed Osei-Mensah confronting the caterers over the noise at the premises before returning to his office without receiving their petition.

The former minister later explained that he considered their manner of protesting unlawful because they had not informed the police before demonstrating at the Regional Coordinating Council. He maintained that although the caterers had legitimate concerns, he would not tolerate what he considered an illegal approach.

Osei-Mensah has now reiterated his position, saying he would not feel sorry for his decision to snub the caterers.

The 2023 dispute came amid wider complaints from caterers about delays in government payments and the rising cost of food supplies. The Ghana School Feeding Programme subsequently acknowledged that payment delays were affecting caterers and said an increase in the feeding grant had already been approved in principle.

Watch the video HERE.