The National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) has staged a protest at the Education Ministry over outstanding payments owed to its members for goods delivered under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
The group said government owed suppliers roughly GH¢50 million for uniforms, house clothes, and school apparel provided to SHSs since 2023. NAIS National President, Emmanuel Ayivor, noted that the payment delays were causing severe financial pressure on vendors, many of whom secured bank credit to meet state contracts.
He added that some members can no longer keep staff members due to deepening liquidity problems. The association is also seeking settlement of two years’ backlog and has urged government to quickly clear all unpaid sums due its members.NAIS said the protest aims to highlight the difficulties suppliers face and to push for swift release of the arrears.
“Today we are here peacefully to register our displeasure to the ministry and the government that we are really stressed. Most of us are working with loans and currently the banks are taking over our properties because we are unable to pay.”
