Om the 29th of November 2025, The Upper West Regional Coordinator of Free SHS, Mr. Adamu Dassana together with Police Officers visited the private residence of Wa Technical Institute’s Domestic Bursar and took away some food items for investigations. Three days afterwards, the National Democratic Congress issued a statement.

However, Reports gathered by Upper West Media Team revealed that the food items were procured by the accused person’s son for a school feeding program in May 2025.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2, 2025

UW-NDC COMMUNICATION BUREAU DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THEFT OF SCHOOL FOOD SUPPLIES AT WA TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

The Upper West Regional Communication Bureau of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is calling for urgent government intervention regarding the alarming alleged theft of students’ food supplies at Wa Technical Institute.

It has come to our attention that essential food items intended for students are being systematically diverted by the school’s matron, Madam Hawa Batong. This constitutes a grave betrayal of trust and a direct sabotage of the government’s efforts to provide adequate nutrition for Senior High School students. A similar incident involving the same person ever happened at Kaleo SHTS some years back but was intervened and covered.

At a time when government is prioritizing students’ welfare, such misconduct undermines the very foundation of our educational system. When school officials steal bags of rice, gallons of oil, or tins of milk, they are stealing directly from the plates and futures of our children.

The consequences of this theft are severe:

· Compromised Student Nutrition: Results in inadequate meals, affecting health, concentration, and academic performance.

· Erosion of Public Trust: Damages confidence in school administration and national feeding programs.

· Financial Waste: Misappropriates precious state resources meant for national development.

· Moral Hazard: Creates a culture of impunity that encourages broader corruption.

The NDC in the Upper West Region therefore demands the following immediate actions:

1. Immediate Investigation: The Ghana Education Service, the GTVET in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, must launch a transparent investigation into food supply chain management from the warehouse where the food was received through to the school store and to the dining hall at Wa Technical Institute.
2. Swift Disciplinary Action: Any staff found culpable, including Madam Batong Hawa, must face immediate suspension and prosecution under civil service regulations, criminal charges under the Ghana criminal justice system and any other relevant laws.
3. Strengthened Oversight: Implement robust monitoring systems involving school management committees, food committees at the school levels, Parent-Teacher Associations, student representatives, and electronic monitoring systems in all school stores, kitchens and dining halls to curb this menace.
4. Whistleblower Protection: Establish secure, anonymous reporting channels to protect those who expose corruption.

The success of any educational feeding program depends not only on funding but on faithful execution. We call on the Minister for Education, Hon Haruna Iddrisu and the Director-General of GES and GTVET to demonstrate decisive leadership as they have always done to protect our students, safeguard public resources, and hold accountable those who treat children’s sustenance as personal property.

Issued by:

Issah Kantagyere
Upper West Regional Communication Officer
0547072796