Kwadwo Poku, a member of the Bawumia campaign team, clarified that the recent controversy over expired rice is not politically motivated. He emphasized that none of those implicated are politicians, suggesting that if any wrongdoing is proven, it would involve technocrats from state institutions like the FDA and Buffer Stock.
He stressed the need for a criminal investigation by the CID if evidence supports the allegations, advising against framing the matter as an election issue.
Claims of Expired Rice in Schools Spark Controversy
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, accused the government of repackaging expired rice for Senior High Schools. He criticized the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare, for dismissing the allegations as propaganda, calling her response “reckless.”
Ablakwa highlighted health risks, citing doctors who warn that consuming contaminated rice could lead to liver cancer. He urged the government to screen affected students, accusing the administration of lacking empathy.
FDA’s Defense and Company Sanction
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) defended the safety of the rice, noting that it met health standards after laboratory testing in Ghana and India. However, Lamens Investments Africa Limited, the distributor, was fined GH¢100,000 for violating packaging regulations. The FDA noted that Lamens re-bagged the rice without authorization in an unlicensed facility.
Despite safety assurances, the FDA pointed out that proper protocols were not followed, which could compromise public trust. The FDA recently extended the rice’s Best Before date from December 2023 to April 2024 but refused a further extension to December 2024 due to inadequate stability data.
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Calls for Independent Investigation
In response to Ablakwa’s allegations, opposition MPs called for a commission of inquiry, expressing distrust in the Ministry of Education’s ability to conduct an impartial investigation. The controversy continues, with various stakeholders debating the severity and implications of the expired rice allegations.
