The Government of Ghana has made good on its commitment to settle outstanding allowances for teacher trainees and arrears owed to school feeding caterers.

In a press release from the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Chief Executive Officer Dr. Saajida Shiraz announced the successful disbursement of allowance arrears for teacher trainees across the country.

“The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) announces the successful disbursement of outstanding teacher trainee allowances for the 2023/2024 academic year to a total of 65,685 students across 46 Public Colleges of Education in Ghana”
Dr Saajida Shiraz, CEO of SLTF

This disbursement of the three month allowances for the 2023/2024 academic year is in line with the SLTF’s broader mission to support access to tertiary education financing.

It also affirms the government’s pledge to sustain educational support under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.

Educational Stability and Policy Alignment

The SLTF noted that the payment reflects the government’s “ongoing education reset agenda,” which includes deliberate investments in improving support systems for students to ensure continuity in academic progression.

The fund emphasized that it is implementing robust measures to ensure future disbursements are carried out efficiently and in full compliance with existing policy frameworks.

“The SLTF remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring timely, transparent, and efficient financial support services delivery for the benefit of students”
Dr Saajida Shiraz, CEO of SLTF

It further assured stakeholders of consistency in future obligations financial and otherwise as part of its renewed operational guidelines and accountability structures.

Caterers Receive 31 Days Arrears

In a parallel development, the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) also confirmed the payment arrears to caterers.

“The Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), has paid the 31 days arrears owed to caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) for the First Term of the 2024/2025 academic year”
Hajia Fati Forgor, National Coordinator of the GSFP

A release signed by the National Coordinator of the GSFP, confirmed that the arrears were paid by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), which supervises the programme.

This comes as a relief to hundreds of caterers who have repeatedly expressed concern over delayed payments, often citing the financial strain such delays impose on their operations.

“The GSFP Secretariat extends its appreciation to the Government for the timely release of funds for the payment of outstanding arrears owed to the caterers”
Hajia Fati Forgor, National Coordinator of the GSFP

Restructuring and Donor Support

Beyond using the opportunity to commend the government for the funds, the GSFP highlighted ongoing efforts to restructure the programme.

“The GSFP Secretariat, under the supervision of the MoGCSP, has commenced a restructuring of the Programme to fulfill the Government’s commitment”
Hajia Fati Forgor, National Coordinator of the GSFP

According to the press release, the restructuring aims to “decentralize operations, improve the nutritional value of meals served, and ensure timely and consistent payments” moving forward.

Hajia Forgor also extended gratitude to donor partners for their unwavering support and cooperation in sustaining the programme over the years.

“We also thank our donor partners for their continuous support and collaboration with the Government of Ghana to sustain the Programme”
Hajia Fati Forgor, National Coordinator of the GSFP

Hajia Fati Forgor, National Coordinator of the GSFP

These disbursements come at a crucial time, as the government works to stabilize key sectors under the current administration.

The settlement of teacher trainee and caterer arrears is expected to contribute to smoother academic operations, better student welfare, and enhanced trust among service providers across the educational system.

While challenges persist in the broader education and welfare ecosystem, these interventions underscore government’s intention to deliver on its social investment promises and to maintain operational credibility within vital public programmes.

The payment also aligns with the new government’s broader education and social welfare vision, which centers on inclusive development and effective service delivery.