By: Issah Olegor
A bitter internal feud within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Tano North Constituency is threatening the smooth operation of the School Feeding Programme in parts of the Ahafo Region.
Party executives are locked up in a fierce tug-of-war over the selection of caterers, leading to confusion, delays, and irregular meal delivery for pupils in several basic schools.
At the centre of the conflict are two competing factions within the NDC—one reportedly aligned with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and the other loyal to the Constituency Chairman.
The clash, which has unfolded in the communities of Bomaa, Bredi, and Boukrukruwa, revolves around the allocation of catering contracts under the government’s flagship social intervention programme.
Sources within the party reveal that both camps are allegedly using their influence to push through preferred candidates as caterers, leading to accusations of favouritism and political patronage.
As a result, the administration of the programme has become chaotic, with some schools missing out on scheduled meal services.
Community members and local school authorities have voiced deep frustration over the development.
According to residents, the political wrangling is not only affecting the morale of parents and teachers but is also depriving schoolchildren of the meals meant to support their nutrition and improve attendance.
In interviews with affected schools, some teachers reported that children were being sent home hungry on certain days due to the absence of caterers or a breakdown in food supply logistics.
“This is not just a party matter—it’s affecting the children directly,” one head teacher lamented.
The School Feeding Programme, introduced to enhance basic education enrolment and retention while tackling child malnutrition, has become an essential part of the daily school routine in many underserved communities.
However, the Tano North impasse is now casting a shadow over the programme’s goals.
Amid the growing concern, several stakeholders—including parents, educators, and youth leaders—are calling on the regional hierarchy of the NDC to step in.
There are increasing demands for an independent review of the caterer selection process and a clear separation of political interest from public service delivery.
The NDC regional executives are yet to issue a public response to the escalating situation, but pressure is mounting for swift intervention to restore order and ensure that children in affected communities can once again depend on the meals promised under the programme.
