The CEO of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), George Abradu-Otoo, has called for strict action against individuals caught stealing food commodities supplied to schools under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

According to him, the pilfering of food meant for students undermines the policy’s objectives and must be stopped.

The programme has recorded cases of theft involving food items supplied to schools for student feeding, with some incidents reportedly involving non-teaching staff in senior high, technical and vocational institutions in parts of the country.

Speaking during a working visit to Wenchi Methodist Senior High School in the Bono Region, Mr Abradu-Otoo warned that anyone caught engaging in such acts would face severe consequences.

“The stealing and pilfering must stop. School staff who are caught will be severely dealt with; we must desist from acts that undermine the smooth implementation of the Free SHS policy.”

The Headmaster of the school, Very Rev. Twumasi Ampofo, assured that the institution currently has enough food supplies to feed its students.

Earlier, Mr Abradu-Otoo visited Nkoranza South in the Bono East Region, where he held discussions with the Municipal Chief Executive, Godfred Dapaah.

Their discussions focused on food theft in schools and NAFCO’s plans to take over the silos at Nkoranza for use by the Buffer Stock Company.

The Nkoranza silo, one of the largest in the country, is currently being operated by a private entity.

Also present at the meeting was Daniel Atta-Kusi, a board member of NAFCO.

During the tour, the NAFCO CEO also inspected progress on the National Food Reserve facilities at Badu and the Wenchi warehouses.

Both locations currently receive, treat, package and store grain stocks for the country as part of the National Food Reserve initiative being implemented by NAFCO.

Mr Abradu-Otoo also toured the factories of Yedent, a private food-processing firm in Sunyani, Bono Region.