Ministry of Education investigates reports of expired rice sent to SHSs: “We will pursue this matter”

• The Ministry of Education is investigating concerns that secondary school students were fed repackaged, expired rice
• North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa made these claims with documents he attributed to the FDA
• The Ministry of Education assured stakeholders that it would take concerns about expired food seriously

The Ministry of Education is investigating concerns that 22,000 bags of expired rice have been repackaged and delivered to secondary schools across the country.

The ministry assured that it would take the concerns raised seriously.

The claims were created by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwawho provided documents from the Ashanti Region FDA as evidence.

Citi News reported that the ministry thanked Ablakwa for highlighting the issue.

“We take these allegations seriously and have urgently launched a full investigation.”

The ministry also said it had engaged the entities responsible for supplying and distributing food higher secondary schools.

It further assured the public of its commitment to protecting the health and safety of every student in our care.

What did Ablakwa say about the expired rice?

Ablakwa’s concerns rod from a December 2023 alert to the FDA’s Ashanti Regional Office about a suspicious repackaging exercise.

That’s what he claimed a government-friendly company was allowed to repackage more than 15,000 50 kg bags of expired and contaminated rice into different 50 kg bags without an expiration date.

Ablakwa said his checks showed that the expired and contaminated rice was then delivered to secondary schools across the country and fed to students in schools.

The rice, which eventually expired, was said to have been imported from India by a company known as Lamens Investments Africa Limited.

Expired food already found in schools

YEN.com.gh reported that the FDA has already done so Expired food found items in the storage rooms of schools such as Zuarungu Senior High School.

The expired food items were seized and taken away when an FDA team showed up unannounced at the school’s campus in Bolgatanga East District.

The FDA also urged school administrators to prioritize compliance with food safety standards within educational institutions.

Source: YEN.com.gh