The Ministry of Education has refuted claims that 22,000 bags of rice distributed to secondary schools under the Free Senior High School programme were unwholesome.

In a statement, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Kwasi Kwarteng, said the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) had confirmed that the rice was safe for consumption.

This follows allegations by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, that the rice had expired, been repackaged, and subsequently distributed to schools. The MP also claimed that the FDA had fined Lamens, the company involved in the repackaging, GH₵100,000 for its actions.

Speaking on Joy News, Mr Kwarteng clarified the FDA’s position, stating, “The rice had not expired. The FDA fined Lamens for repackaging the rice without prior approval, not for distributing unwholesome food.”

He added that the rice’s “best before” date was December 2023, and while the importers had sought an extension of the date, they repackaged the rice before receiving the necessary authorisation.

Mr Ablakwa, however, remains unconvinced, calling for the arrest of Lamens’ Chief Executive Officer and the company’s directors during a press briefing on Monday.

In response, Mr Kwarteng accused the MP of creating “needless alarm,” questioning the logic of distributing unsafe food to schools. “Who would fine an agency just GH₵100,000 for supplying 22,000 bags of unwholesome food? Would the Minister of Education knowingly approve such a move?” he asked.

The FDA has yet to issue a formal statement on the controversy, while calls for greater accountability in the distribution process continue to grow.

Source:TheDotNews