Akosua Frema-Osei Opare, the Chief of Staff, has described as “propaganda and rumour-mongering”, the news about the repacking and distribution of expired rice to certain Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the country.
She says the claims being made by the North Tongu lawmaker are not true and should not be entertained in the education sector.
Her comments stem from a recent expose made by the Member of Parliament who disclosed that approximately 22,000 bags of expired rice have been repackaged and distributed to some schools.
Reacting to Ablakwa’s claims on Accra-based JoyNews, she admonished Ghanaians to pay less attention to such issues and concentrate on matters that will advance the development of the students.
“You know it is not true, so please let us focus on things that move this country forward… We have good things, we have to focus on how we advance the Ghanaian children, and how we improve their opportunities so that they become good citizens. Propaganda and rumour-mongering have no place in education,” she said Monday, November 18, 2024.
Meanwhile, the NDC caucus in Parliament on Monday, also called for the arrest and prosecution of the Directors of Lamens Investment Africa Limited, as well as sanctions against the Board and Management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in light of the allegations.
Ablakwa has also claimed that although the Auditor General identified Lamens Ventures in 2021 for providing substandard food products, the government has not taken any measures since.
The Ministry of Education has also come out that the rice in question were certified for distribution by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, noted that the rice was not expired, clarifying the FDA’s penalty against Lamens was not for distributing unsafe food, but for not securing FDA approval before repackaging the rice.
FDA declared rice as wholesome for consumption – Education Ministry PRO insists
