The Ministry of Education has responded to allegations by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa regarding the distribution of 22,000 bags of allegedly expired and repackaged rice to Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.
According to the Ministry, the rice in question was certified as wholesome by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Ablakwa had claimed that the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) conspired with Lamens Investments Africa Limited to distribute expired rice, which had originally expired in December 2023.
He further alleged that the rice was repackaged in locally made sacks with misleading labels such as “ECOWAS” and “Made in Ghana rice” but lacked an expiry date.
In response, the Ministry of Education confirmed on Thursday, November 14, 2024, that an investigation had been launched into the matter. Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for the Ministry, clarified that NAFCO had engaged Lamens Ventures to procure the rice for distribution. While the rice was initially imported with an expiry date of December 2023, 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. Following re-evaluation, the FDA confirmed that the rice was still safe for consumption and granted an extension of the “Best Before” date to April 30, 2024.
Kwarteng emphasized that the rice distributed to schools in February 2024 was certified as wholesome by the FDA. Additionally, Lamens Ventures had formally requested approval from the FDA to re-bag the remaining stock, reflecting the updated shelf life, which was approved.
However, Ablakwa has maintained his stance that the rice was expired and unfit for consumption, rejecting the FDA’s certification.
Read initial findings: Supply of Expired Rice to Students under the Free SHS Programme
1. The National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) engaged Lamens Ventures to procure rice for distribution to students under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program.
2. A total of 11,000 metric tons of rice was imported, with an initial expiry date of December 2023.
3. By the last quarter of 2023, NAFCO still had a portion of this stock yet to be supplied to schools.
4. On the advice of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Lamens Ventures followed the necessary protocols to have the rice re-tested in India, its country of origin.
5. The re-testing was to ascertain the possibility of extending the rice’s shelf life by an additional year, to December 2024.
5. Following further evaluations and verifications, the FDA granted a temporary extension of the rice’s “Best Before” date to 30th April 2024, after confirming the product’s continued wholesomeness.
6. It is important to note that February 2024 was the last time Lamens distributed these rice to schools through NAFCO and at the time the rice was deemed wholesome by the FDA
7. To address concerns from schools regarding the rice’s perceived expiry date, Lamens Ventures submitted a formal request to the FDA, dated 9th February 2024, seeking approval to re-bag the remaining stock to reflect the updated shelf life.
8. The rice was certified by the FDA as wholesome for consumption, with its new expiry date extended to April, 2024.
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