The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticised the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare, for dismissing reports of ‘expired rice’ being distributed to Senior High Schools as untrue and propagandist.
The MP argued that the Chief of Staff’s comments, which sought to downplay the seriousness of the issue, were inappropriate and failed to address the public’s concerns.
The lawmaker’s criticism follows remarks made by Mrs. Osei Opare, who, in response to allegations about the distribution of expired rice in schools, described the claims as baseless propaganda aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the education sector.
She stated that such accusations should not be allowed to spread, asserting that the allegations were false.
However, speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, November 21, Mr. Ablakwa strongly disagreed with the Chief of Staff’s stance.
He contended that instead of dismissing the issue, the government should have called on all relevant agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly. According to him, this would have been a more responsible approach to ensure accountability and restore public confidence.
Mr. Ablakwa further expressed concern that by choosing to label the allegations as propaganda, the government was undermining the importance of transparency and accountability—both of which are crucial in addressing public sector issues.
He urged the government to avoid ‘whitewashing’ the scandal and instead take the necessary steps to resolve the problem.
The MP also emphasised the importance of a comprehensive inquiry into the matter, warning that failure to do so would only fuel further distrust among Ghanaians.
He called on the Chief of Staff to reconsider her comments and support efforts to uncover the full truth behind the expired rice issue, which has sparked widespread concern across the country.
“She should have immediately summoned all the agencies involved in this. She should have summoned the Education Ministry, the FDA, the Buffer Stock Company, and all the companies working under her. This is a matter she should be alarmed about and take seriously, rather than whitewashing the issue,” he stated.
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