The Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare has spoken about the unfolding scandal involving the alleged repackaged expired rice supplied to some Senior High Schools.
She described the issue as “untrue and propaganda” which should not be allowed in the education sector.
She made this comment during an interview with JoyNews‘ Prince Kudogah at the sidelines of the National Education Book launch on Monday, November 18.
“You know it is not true, so let us focus on things that move this country forward… propaganda and rumour-mongering have no place in education,” she said.
This follows allegations made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who claimed that a total of 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice were distributed to various SHSs across the country.
He alleged that the consignment was distributed through the Free Senior High School Secretariat in February this year.
The North Tongu legislator, who also serves as Chair of the Assurances Committee in Parliament, said his investigation, launched after a tip-off, revealed that the act was deliberate.
In a press briefing on Monday, November 18, the NDC Caucus demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investments Africa, the company accused of allegedly repackaging and distributing expired rice to some Senior High Schools.
“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 there 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 also called for an investigation into the National Food Buffer Stock Company, whose facilities were allegedly used to store the expired rice, criticising 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.
Additionally, they demanded an inquiry into the Ministry of Education, accusing it of putting pressure on the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to overlook regulatory breaches in the case.
However, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng, says the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has declared the rice, which was distributed to schools as wholesome for consumption.
Mr Kwarteng clarified that the rice had not expired, despite the MP’s continued claims. He explained that the FDA did not fine Lamens for distributing unwholesome food, but rather for failing to obtain FDA approval before repackaging the rice.
“For the record, Lamens was fined for not getting authorisation for the repackaging of the food. It has nothing to do with the declaration of the wholesomeness of the food,” he said.
Mr Kwarteng further explained that the “best before” date on the rice was December 2023. However, the rice importers [Lamens] had requested an extension of the expiry date from the FDA but proceeded with repackaging before receiving approval.
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