The Controlled Food Suppliers Association (CFSA) has announced plans to hold a five-day demonstration at the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) in Accra over unpaid debts of about GH¢250 million for food items supplied under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
“The demonstration is meant to demand immediate payment of debt owed to members for food items supplied in 2024 under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.”
CFSA statement Letter to CCX
The protest is scheduled for Monday, November 16, to Friday, November 20, 2026, at the GCX premises on Tumu Avenue, Kanda. The association says it wants the Exchange to settle what it describes as monies owed to its members.
CFSA serves notice on GCX
In a letter dated October 30, 2026, and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the GCX surfacing today, the association formally notified management of its decision. The notice, titled “Notice to Conduct a Peaceful Demonstration at the Premises of the Ghana Commodity Exchange,” bears the Exchange’s received stamp of the same date.
The association asserted that repeated efforts to secure payment had failed to produce the desired outcome, leaving members frustrated over the prolonged delays. It insisted that its leadership had acted responsibly throughout the process.
“The leadership of the Association has at all times acted in utmost good faith in demanding monies legitimately owed to its members.”
CFSA Letter to GCX
CFSA accounts Debt to stand at GH¢250m
The CFSA has confirmed that the outstanding debt stands at approximately GH¢250 million. The arrears stem from non-perishable food items supplied to senior high schools under the Free SHS programme during the 2024/2025 academic year.
The association stated the figures are audited and fully reconciled, a claim aimed at countering any suggestion that the amount is disputed or unverified.The debt affects members of the CFSA who routed their deliveries through the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) and the GCX. The association did not say how many suppliers are affected.
Association says ultimatum went unheeded
The CFSA reiterated that it had previously given the GCX a two-week ultimatum on October 7, 2026, to clear the outstanding amounts. The deadline expired on October 21 without the matter being resolved.
The association confirmed that the GCX had not provided a satisfactory response or a concrete payment plan. In the letter, it pointed to what it called the “apparent decision by GCX to disregard” its two-week notice.
“The prolonged delay in the payments in spite of the persistent follow-ups… has compelled the Association to take this rather difficult but reasonably necessary option to demand the settlement of monies owed to its members.”
Letter from CFSA
Suppliers inform police, seek pressure on authorities
The association noted it had also notified the Ghana Police Service of the planned demonstration, in line with the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491), which requires organisers of public processions and demonstrations to give police advance notice.
“The Association has also notified the Ghana Police Service of the planned demonstration in accordance with the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491).”
The planned demonstration is intended to increase pressure on the relevant authorities to address the payment dispute and settle the outstanding debts. By staging it over five consecutive working days, the association appears to be seeking sustained public attention to its grievance. The CFSA, which is based in Sunyani, presents itself as “Committed to Quality Nutrition for Schools.”
The Free SHS programme relies on suppliers to deliver food items to second-cycle institutions, and delays in settling such suppliers can affect their operations and their ability to keep supplying schools.The notice does not set out the GCX’s position on the claims, and it was not immediately clear whether the Exchange had responded to the October 30 letter.
The GCX is expected to be given the opportunity to state its side as the protest date draws closer. With the demonstration scheduled to begin on November 16, attention will turn to whether the Exchange and the authorities concerned act on the suppliers’ demands before then.
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