Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum
A shocking revelation by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has sparked a nationwide outcry, prompting the Ministry of Education to launch an immediate investigation.
Okudzeto Ablakwa alleged that a staggering 22,000 bags of expired rice were repackaged and distributed to Senior High Schools across Ghana.
According to Ablakwa, the National Food Buffer Stock Company collaborated with Lamens Investments Africa Limited to carry out this dubious operation.
The expired rice, he claimed imported from India, was reportedly repackaged at the Buffer Stock’s storage facility in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
The rice, which expired in December 2023, was cleverly rebranded with locally produced sacks bearing “ECOWAS” and “Made in Ghana rice” labels, conveniently omitting the expiry date.
Allegations
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about the quality of food supplied to schools.
In the past, there have been reports of spoiled or contaminated food being distributed to students.
Ministry of Education’s Response
However, the Ministry of Education, led by Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has swiftly responded to the allegations, thanking Ablakwa for bringing the issue to their attention.
The Ministry has engaged the National Food Buffer Stock Company and the Ghana Commodity Exchange, the entities responsible for food supply and distribution, to conduct a thorough investigation.
“We take these allegations seriously and have commenced a full investigation,” the Ministry stated.
He added “Rest assured, we will pursue this matter to the end and provide updates to the public as our investigation progresses.”
BY Daniel Bampoe