Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has condemned comments made by Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare regarding the controversy over expired rice allegedly repackaged for distribution to senior high schools. Ablakwa described Osei Opare’s remarks as “reckless” and criticized her for commenting on the matter without thoroughly investigating the facts.
In an interview on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, November 23, 2024, Ablakwa urged that proper investigation should have been conducted before the Chief of Staff made any statements. He reiterated that expired rice was indeed repackaged for use in the school feeding program, calling the Chief of Staff’s dismissal of the allegations irresponsible.
“The Chief of Staff’s comment is the height of recklessness and irresponsibility,” Ablakwa remarked, questioning the lack of thorough review before making such assertions. “Can’t we respect our laws, can’t we follow standards?” he added.
The controversy erupted after a claim by Ablakwa that expired rice was distributed to schools, a statement which was promptly dismissed by Osei Opare. In comments made at the National Education Book launch on November 18, 2024, Osei Opare rejected the allegation as “propaganda” and “rumour-mongering.” She stressed the importance of focusing on positive actions that benefit the Ghanaian child rather than engaging in unfounded claims.
Meanwhile, Kwasi Kwarteng, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education, defended the quality of the rice, insisting that it was approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) before being distributed to schools. He stated that the FDA had certified the rice as safe for consumption, even though it had expired, and emphasized that the rice underwent rigorous laboratory testing to ensure its safety.
In response, Ablakwa has called for urgent national medical screenings for students who may have consumed the rice, urging health institutions like the Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health to take immediate action. He expressed concern over the lack of a comprehensive investigation and the potential health risks posed to students.
In further developments, Lamens Ventures, the company responsible for repackaging the rice, was fined GH¢100,000 by the FDA for violating regulations during the process. The company had re-bagged about 22,000 bags of rice imported from India without prior FDA approval, a step required to ensure product integrity and public safety. The re-bagging was carried out in an unlicensed facility, and the FDA also criticized the company for failing to ensure the presence of FDA supervision during the process.
The FDA emphasized that the fine was not related to the rice’s safety, as it passed laboratory tests confirming it met health standards. However, the regulatory violations during the repackaging process raised concerns about public health safety. The FDA also extended the rice’s “Best Before” date from December 20, 2023, to April 30, 2024, but rejected further requests for an extension due to insufficient stability data.
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Despite the fines and the issues surrounding the rice’s handling, the FDA reassured the public that the rice had been deemed safe for consumption and emphasized its continued commitment to maintaining rigorous food safety standards in the country.
