Make affordable cafeterias mandatory in big institutions, Rawlings’ daughter proposes

The Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, is calling for a major policy shift to tackle the struggle many Ghanaians face in finding affordable meals during the workday.

Presenting a statement in Parliament, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings highlighted a critical gap in the planning of corporate and public institutions, noting that workers in hospitals, banks, ministries, and large private establishments often have limited access to reasonably priced food.

She argued that the lack of affordable on-site dining options contributes directly to the proliferation of unauthorized vending around public spaces, creating both pressure for workers and challenges for city authorities.

“When food services are deliberately included in institutional designs and priced to be affordable, it helps reduce the pressure that forces vendors and workers into unauthorized spaces,” Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings explained.

To address this, the MP is proposing that the government introduce new guidelines requiring major developments to include affordable dining facilities as a condition for planning approval.

She specifically called on the Ministry of Works and Housing, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collaborate on crafting these regulations.

According to the proposal, new guidelines would encourage or mandate large institutions to integrate subsidized cafeterias or food courts into their premises from the design stage. This, she argued, would not only improve worker welfare but also help decongest public spaces by providing a legitimate and accessible alternative to street vendors.