SHS food supply thieves are enemies of the state – Dr Apaak

Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Abas Apaak has condemned the alleged theft of school food supplies, urging public cooperation as police investigate arrests at Awaso STEM Senior High School.

Reacting to the arrests, Dr Apaak said those who divert food meant for students undermine national interest and must face the law.

“I urge students, citizens, and community members to assist in apprehending those who steal food meant for our students,” he tweeted on Friday. “These acts of greed don’t just deprive our students of food but are also a drain on the public purse. There can’t be sympathy for enemies of the state.”

His comments followed the arrest of two staff members of the Sefwi Bekwai STEM Senior High School at Awaso in the Western North Region over an alleged theft of large quantities of food items intended for students.

The suspects, identified by police as Benedicta Nyamadi, a school matron, and Rahel Kyeremateng, a cook, were picked up on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, and are currently in police custody.

According to the Western North Regional Police Command, the arrests were made after intelligence was received by the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal Chief Executive on the night of December 22.

Acting on the information, a joint team of police officers, the area Member of Parliament and the Municipal Chief Executive searched Kyeremateng’s residence at Sefwi Atronsu.

Large quantities of food items suspected to have been taken from the school were retrieved.

Police said preliminary investigations suggest the two acted together to remove items from the school’s food store and kept them at Kyeremateng’s residence, allegedly with the intention of selling them later. Items retrieved included 21 bags of 50-kilogramme rice, sacks of gari, maize and millet, sugar, beans, tomato paste, milk, cooking oil and canned mackerel.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has publicly backed a full probe into the matter. In a statement dated December 26, GES confirmed receiving reports of the arrests.

“The management of the Ghana Education Service has received reports regarding the arrest of the matron, Benedicta Nyamadi, and a cook, Rachel Kyeremateng, of Awaso STEM Senior High School for the alleged theft of food supplies meant for students,” it said.

GES stressed zero tolerance for misconduct affecting student welfare.

“Management asserts unequivocally that it does not condone any form of misconduct, abuse of office, or acts that compromise the welfare, nutrition, and wellbeing of students,” the statement added, noting that the allegations, if proven, would breach the Service’s ethical standards.

The Service said it fully supports police investigations and will cooperate with relevant institutions to ensure due process.

“Robust monitoring mechanisms are in place, and where lapses are identified, appropriate sanctions will be applied in accordance with the GES Code of Conduct and relevant laws of Ghana,” the statement, signed by Head of Public Relations Daniel Fenyi, said.