The Ministry of Education has launched a full investigation into allegations made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu regarding the supply of expired food items to some Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.
Ablakwa had claimed that 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice were distributed to SHSs across the country in February this year.
According to Ablakwa, the National Food Buffer Stock Company conspired with a company known as Lamens Investments Africa Limited to carry out the disservice.
He alleged that the Buffer Stock storage facility in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region, was used to repackage expired rice brought from India, which expired in December 2023 but was repackaged into locally made sacks, “with the inscription ‘ECOWAS’, ‘Made in Ghana rice’, but without an expiry date.”
Kwasi Kwarteng, Spokesperson, Ministry of Education in a statement issued on Thursday evening expressed appreciation to Ablakwa for bringing the matter to their attention, emphasising the value of such feedback in their ongoing efforts to ensure quality education.
“We take these allegations seriously and, as a matter of urgency, have commenced a full investigation. The Ministry has also engaged the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) and the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), the entities responsible for the supply and distribution of food to senior high schools. Together, we have launched a thorough investigation into the issues raised by Hon. Ablakwa.
“We assure students, parents, guardians, and the public of our commitment to protecting the health and safety of every student under our care. Rest assured, we will pursue this matter to the end and provide updates to the Public as our investigation progresses,” he further stated.
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