A renewed crackdown on the diversion of school resources has led to the arrest of two staff members of Awaso STEM Senior High School in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality over the alleged theft of food meant for students.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Sebastian Obeng, facilitated the intervention after receiving intelligence suggesting that food supplies provided for the school’s boarding students were being siphoned off.

Acting on the information, he alerted the police, who subsequently carried out a search operation.

The operation led officers to the residence of one of the school’s cooks at Atronsu, where large quantities of food items were retrieved.

Items recovered included 21 bags of rice, six gallons of cooking oil, 40 tins of tomato paste, four boxes of milk, as well as sugar, maize, millet, gari and other essential provisions earmarked for students’ meals.

The suspects—identified as the school matron, Nyamadi Benedicta, and a cook—were arrested and are currently in the custody of the Sehwi Bekwai Police Command to assist with investigations.

The arrests reflect a firm stance by local authorities against the misappropriation of public resources, particularly those intended to support students’ welfare.

MCE Sebastian Obeng stressed that the diversion of school supplies will not be tolerated and assured that all reported irregularities will be thoroughly investigated.

The Member of Parliament for the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency, Bright Asamoah Brefo, welcomed the action, describing it as necessary to promote accountability within the education sector.

He emphasised that anyone found culpable would face the full rigours of the law, adding that the incident should serve as a strong deterrent to others.

The Awaso STEM SHS case adds to a series of similar incidents nationwide. In November 2024, the National Investigation Bureau intercepted a vehicle transporting 56 bags of rice and other food items intended for senior high schools, highlighting persistent challenges in safeguarding school feeding programmes.

Education stakeholders say such incidents underscore the need for heightened vigilance, transparency and strict monitoring of school stores, especially in boarding institutions that depend heavily on government-provided meals.

Local education authorities have expressed support for the ongoing investigations and called for stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent future abuses.