The National Association of Institutional Suppliers (NAIS) has issued an immediate demand to the government of Ghana to as a matter of urgency settle all their outstanding payments totalling over 23 million Ghana Cedis owed to its members.

This debt is for essential supplies, including school uniforms and house dresses, delivered to schools under government contracts for the past two years, i.e 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic years.
In a statement issued and made available to SOMPA NEWS, the Suppliers said for the past two years, this substantial amount has remained unpaid despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Education. The statement said the prolonged delay is causing severe financial difficulties, pushing many of their members "to the brink of collapse" and making it nearly impossible for them to sustain operations, meet financial commitments, or meet operational costs like wages, rents, and loans.
The statement further said, while NAIS is grateful for the dialogue and engagement it has had with the Ministry of Education, especially the Sector Minister, Hon. Haruna Idrissu in efforts to resolve this situation, the payments remain outstanding. This delay in payment is placing an undue hardship on our members. NAIS members are essential for ensuring that students have the uniforms and materials they need.

Mr. Emmanuel Boateng, the Public Relations Officer of NAIS told Sompa News in an interview that, "We are ready to continue supporting the government's vision for quality education, but our businesses require financial stability to do so. We urge the government to prioritise and expedite the settlement of these outstanding payments to prevent further financial distress for our members. NAIS is committed to working collaboratively with the government to find solutions and urges prompt action."

Sompaonline.com/Asante Yeboah Benedict