The Minority in Parliament is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Directors of Lamens Investment Africa Limited, alongside sanctions for the Board and Management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, over allegations of distributing expired rice to Senior High Schools across Ghana.
The issue, which has sparked national outrage, was brought to light by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who accused the two institutions of conspiring to distribute 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice to schools.
Ablakwa revealed that this is not the first time Lamens Investment Africa Limited has been implicated in such a scandal. In 2021, the company was cited by the Auditor-General for supplying unwholesome food items to schools, but no significant action was taken to address the issue. The Minority has expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to hold the company accountable, allowing the problem to persist and escalate.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, November 18, Ablakwa did not mince words as he outlined the demands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus. He emphasized that the health and safety of students must not be jeopardized for corrupt dealings. “The NDC Caucus also demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investments Africa Limited,” Ablakwa declared. “The board and management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company must be sanctioned for allowing their storage facility to be used for this atrocious act and for operating unregistered storage facilities across the country.”
The Minority described the situation as a reckless act of corruption that endangered the lives of students and called for decisive action to prevent future occurrences. “Such recklessness, which sacrifices the health of our students for corrupt transactions, must not go unpunished,” Ablakwa asserted.
The issue has raised significant concerns about the health implications for students who may have consumed the expired rice. Ablakwa disclosed that public health officials had initially announced a major screening exercise to assess the health status of affected students. However, he criticized the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities for failing to follow through on this crucial measure.
“Immediately after this scandal broke, public health officials announced a major screening exercise because the doctors have told us about the medium- to long-term implications of this insect-infested, highly acidic, and contaminated rice. But here we are; they are all playing ostriches. The Ministry of Education should open its doors for this screening to be done,” he stated.
The call for screening highlights the need for urgent public health interventions to identify and address potential health risks faced by students. The Minority believes that this step is critical in mitigating the long-term effects of consuming expired and contaminated food items.
In addition to the demands for accountability, the Minority also raised broader concerns about the management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company. The company, established to ensure food security and supply to schools, has come under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in the scandal. The Minority argued that the company’s role in facilitating the storage and distribution of expired rice underscores a failure of oversight and governance.
This scandal has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters, with many calling for systemic reforms to prevent a recurrence. The public is demanding greater transparency and accountability in the operations of companies tasked with supplying food to schools.
The issue has also reignited debates about the effectiveness of government oversight mechanisms and the enforcement of food safety standards. Critics argue that the lack of stringent penalties for offenders has emboldened unscrupulous individuals and companies to prioritize profit over public health.
The Minority’s call for action comes as stakeholders continue to question the government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of students. Parents, civil society organizations, and education advocates are urging the authorities to treat the matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
The scandal has also placed a spotlight on the Auditor-General’s findings and the need for swift implementation of recommendations. Many believe that the failure to act on the 2021 report contributed to the current crisis. The Minority is, therefore, calling on the government to review and strengthen the enforcement of audit findings to prevent similar lapses in the future.
As the controversy unfolds, the public is closely watching how the government will respond to the demands for accountability. The Minority has vowed to continue advocating for justice and the protection of students’ health. For them, the safety and well-being of the nation’s children must be paramount, and those responsible for compromising it must face the full rigors of the law.
This scandal serves as a sobering reminder of the critical role of food safety in safeguarding public health. It underscores the importance of vigilance, accountability, and robust regulatory frameworks in ensuring that the rights and welfare of citizens, especially vulnerable groups like students, are not compromised.
The Minority’s demands, if acted upon, could set a precedent for dealing with food safety violations and holding institutions accountable for their actions. As the nation awaits further developments, the hope is that this incident will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change in the governance of food supply chains and the enforcement of safety standards in Ghana.
