Kwadwo Poku, a member of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, has announced that if elected, Bawumia will investigate the expired rice allegations raised by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Poku emphasized that Bawumia is taking the issue seriously, particularly the involvement of technocrats in state agencies like the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Buffer Stock Company. Poku noted that the situation should not be politicized, as it concerns non-political figures within these institutions. He asserted that if wrongdoing is confirmed, the culprits should face criminal charges.
Concerns Over Alleged Expired Rice in Schools
The controversy began when Ablakwa alleged that expired rice, specifically the Moshosho brand, was repackaged and distributed to Senior High Schools across Ghana. He raised health concerns, stating that doctors warned about the risk of liver cancer from consuming infested rice. Ablakwa criticized President Akufo-Addo’s administration for not conducting health screenings for students who might have consumed the rice, describing this as a lack of empathy and care.
Government Response and FDA’s Defense
Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare dismissed Ablakwa’s claims as baseless propaganda, while the FDA defended the safety of the rice, insisting it passed all required tests. According to FDA representatives, the rice met safety standards in Ghana and India. However, they acknowledged packaging violations, which led to a GH¢100,000 fine imposed on Lamens Investments Africa Limited for re-bagging the rice without FDA approval and in an unlicensed facility.
Calls for Medical Screening and Transparency
Ablakwa has called for a national medical screening of students who might have consumed the rice, urging Ghana Health Service and other institutions to take immediate action. In response, the FDA maintained that the rice was safe, despite the improper handling by Lamens Investments, which re-bagged 22,000 bags of rice imported from India and labeled them as “Made in Ghana.”
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Regulatory Violations and Enforcement Measures
The FDA’s investigation confirmed that Lamens Investments violated several regulations, including re-bagging without approval and failing to supervise the process. These actions led to administrative fines, though the FDA clarified that these fines were related to packaging errors, not the quality of the rice itself. The FDA recently extended the rice’s “Best Before” date to April 2024 but declined a further extension to December 2024 due to insufficient data.
The FDA stressed its commitment to public health, reinforcing that enforcement measures are crucial for maintaining trust in the food supply chain. The agency’s decision to accept partial payments for fines was also defended as a practical approach to ensure accountability while enabling companies to meet their financial obligations.
Dr. Bawumia’s commitment to investigating the matter, if elected, reflects his campaign’s focus on holding non-political actors accountable within state agencies, aiming for a transparent and non-partisan approach to the controversy.
