The Minority in Parliament has called on President Akufo-Addo to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investments Africa.
This follows the alleged repackaging and distribution of expired rice to Senior High Schools (SHSs) nationwide.
Although the Ministry of Education has clarified that the 22,000 kilograms had the approval of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) before distribution, the Minority is demanding a Commission of Inquiry.
Addressing a press conference, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto, who brought the issue to light, said Akufo-Addo’s silence on the matter is disappointing.
“The NDC Caucus demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investments Africa Limited, Mr. Agyefi Mensah and Simon Agyei – those two directors.
“Simon Agyei, at the time of the arrest, was supervising the illegal operations at the Buffer Stock Company in Kumasi before the order came from above that he should be released. We demand their re-arrest and prosecution,” he said.
The Caucus has also called for an investigation into the National Food Buffer Stock Company, whose facilities were allegedly used to store the expired rice.
They criticized the company for operating unregistered storage sites and urged sanctions against its Board and Management.
“Such recklessness, which sacrifices the health of our students for corrupt transactions, must not go unpunished,” he added.
In a related development, the Ranking Member on the Education Committee, Peter Kortoe-Nortsu, has urged parents to screen their wards for possible health hazards.
Mr. Ablakwa earlier alleged that the rice expired in December 2023 and was placed in locally produced sacks labeled “ECOWAS” and “Made in Ghana Rice,” but with no expiry date.
However, the Ministry has stated that initial findings following a probe into the allegation revealed that the rice was initially imported with an expiry date of December 2023, but a portion remained unsupplied by the end of the year.
On the advice of the FDA, Lamens Ventures had the rice re-tested in India to determine whether its shelf life could be extended.
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