The National Association of Institutional Suppliers has committed to oppose the Education Ministry’s proposed rebranding of public schools and the implementation of new uniforms.
In a statement issued on May 2, 2024, the association emphasized its intention to oppose any government move that undermines the employment security of its members.
The association expressed great worry over the government’s recent decision to centralise suppliers for both basic and senior high schools, which they feel has a negative impact on their operations.
According to the group, these restrictions have caused many of its members to lose money and be forced to close their businesses.
The statement, signed by the Association’s National Secretary, Amoah Talhir, added that while the Free SHS programme aimed to relieve financial strain on parents, it should not come at the expense of small and medium-sized businesses, as they believe is currently happening under the Ministry of Education’s guidelines.
“The fact remains that the Free SHS programme was meant to reduce the burden of parents but not to collapse small and medium scale businesses to add to the critical unemployment situation as being perpetuated by the Ministry of Education now. It is worth knowing that our membership of over 200 is spread across all the regions of the country.
“Our husbands, wives, workers, children, and other dependents are voters and also Ghanaians who have the right to live. Any attempt this time to introduce any policy that will go further to render our members jobless will be fiercely resisted.
“We urge the powers that be to bring the Minister to order to refrain from the dubious contracts that benefit only him and his cronies.
“He must remember that very soon, the masks of all such companies will be unveiled, and the relationships between the Minister and them will be uncovered too,” the statement read.
