KEY POINTS
- Chief of Staff called the expired rice claims untrue.
- NDC Caucus demanded arrests over alleged expired rice scandal.
- FDA confirmed the rice was safe despite procedural breaches.
In response to accusations that some senior high schools were receiving stale rice that had been purportedly repackaged, Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare called the assertions “untrue and propaganda.” She underlined that such disputes had no place in the field of education.
Chief of Staff dismisses allegations as “propaganda”
During Monday, Nov. 18, Osei Opare told JoyNews’ Prince Kudogah at the National Education Book launch, “You know it is not true, therefore let us focus on things that take this country ahead. Rumor-mongering and propaganda have no place in the classroom.
According to myjoyonline, her comments follow accusations made earlier this year by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for North Tongu, that 22,000 sacks of repackaged and outdated rice were given to senior high schools. Ablakwa claims that the rice was given out in February via the Free Senior High School Secretariat, and his inquiry, which was started in response to a tip, revealed that the crime was intentional.
The NDC Caucus demanded during a news conference on November 18 that directors of Lamens Investments Africa, the business allegedly responsible for repackaging and distributing the rice, be arrested and charged right away.
“The NDC Caucus calls for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Agyefi Mensah and Simon Agyei, the directors of Lamens Investments Africa Limited,” Ablakwa stated. He further said that when Agyei was first arrested, he was in charge of the Buffer Stock Company in Kumasi, but that he was later freed on orders from higher up.
The National Food Buffer Stock Company was accused by the Caucus of using unlicensed storage facilities for the rice, and they called for an investigation against the company. They accused the Ministry of Education of pressuring the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to ignore regulatory violations.
“Such recklessness, which sacrifices the health of our students for corrupt transactions, must not go unpunished,” Ablakwa stated.
Education Ministry clarifies FDA’s findings on rice quality
Kwasi Kwarteng, a spokesman for the Ministry of Education, responded by disputing the claims, claiming that the FDA had approved the rice as safe for ingestion.
For the record, Lamens received a $500 for failing to get permission to repackage the food. It is unrelated to the food’s wholesomeness statement,” Kwarteng stated. He explained that the rice, which had a December 2023 “best before” date on the label, was still fresh.
According to myjoyonline, Kwarteng went on to say that Lamens had asked the FDA for an extension of the rice’s expiration date, but repackaged the rice before getting permission, which led to the penalties.
