The spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng, has accused North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, of leveraging the controversy surrounding the alleged distribution of expired rice to Senior High Schools (SHSs) for political gain.
Ablakwa, representing the Minority in Parliament, on Monday, November 18, called for the arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investment Africa Limited, the company allegedly responsible for repackaging and distributing 22,000 bags of expired rice to SHSs in February.
He also demanded sanctions against the Board and management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) for their purported involvement in the incident.
Speaking on Joy News, Kwasi Kwarteng dismissed Ablakwa’s claims, insisting that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) had certified the rice as safe for consumption before distribution.
He described the allegations as politically motivated and unsubstantiated, urging the public to focus on facts rather than speculation.
“As long as the FDA has come to say that within their existing protocols and the tests that they run, as at when they were issuing the directive for the rice to be distributed to the said company, the rice was wholesome and safe for consumption. I thought that it would have ended, but it appears Ablakwa is just exploiting the situation to advance his political relevance.
“Why should you be trumpeting a question that has also been answered by the relevant agency? He asked about 20 questions, but the substantive question was whether the food was wholesome. If it was, then I am not sure there is any cause for alarm,” he stated.
22,000 bags of expired, repackaged rice distributed across SHSs – Ablakwa alleges
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