An alarming parliamentary investigation has exposed a dangerous scheme involving expired and contaminated rice delivered to Senior High Schools across Ghana. The findings led by Hon. Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa reveal a coordinated effort by a politically connected company, with support from high-ranking officials, to repackage expired rice for distribution, putting the health of thousands of students at risk.
A Scheme Uncovered
On December 20, 2023, a concerned Ghanaian alerted the Ashanti Regional Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) about a suspicious, unauthorized re-packaging of expired rice at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) storage facility in Kumasi. The re-packaging operation, reportedly protected by influential figures from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), involved over 15,000 50kg bags of rice that had expired.
Upon investigation, the FDA discovered the rice had been imported by Lamens Investments Africa Ltd, with the National Food Buffer Stock Company as the notified party. The rice, branded Moshosho and sourced from India, arrived in Ghana in 50kg bags with an expiration date of December 2023. Instead of disposing of the rice, Lamens and NAFCO allegedly engaged in a covert re-packaging operation to hide the expiry date and disguise the rice’s origin.
Findings from the FDA Investigation
The FDA’s findings, detailed in a report by Ashanti Regional Head John Laryea Odai-Tettey, included:
- Rice Origin and Importation: The rice was imported from India by Lamens Investments and delivered to the NAFCO storage facility in Kumasi.
- Re-Packaging and Mislabelling: Upon nearing its expiration, the rice was re-packaged in new bags labeled “CEDAO ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve” with no expiration dates, violating Ghana’s General Labelling Regulation, LI 1541.
- Country of Origin Concealed: The re-packaged rice bags misleadingly stated Ghana as the country of origin, promoting a false narrative that Ghana-produced rice was being distributed.
- Unlicensed Facility and Supervision: The NAFCO storage site was not licensed for re-packaging, and no trained personnel were available to oversee the process, violating the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
The FDA found that the re-packaging operation not only circumvented legal protocols but also violated public health standards, with potential risks to the health of students who would consume the expired rice.
Political Ties and Accountability
The National Food Buffer Stock Company is overseen by CEO Alhaji Hanan Abdul-Wahab, who is also the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Pusiga Constituency. The NAFCO Board is chaired by Henry Nana Boakye, the NPP’s National Organizer. Lamens Investments has admitted its role in the re-packaging and agreed to pay an administrative fine of GHS 100,000, with a GHS 50,000 deposit paid to the FDA on January 5, 2024.
This scheme has raised concerns among Ghanaians about the impact of political influence on public welfare, with many questioning how corruption and greed could lead to such blatant disregard for students’ safety.
What’s Next?
Parliamentary oversight bodies are urging further investigations and accountability measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. FDA insiders insist that greater transparency and adherence to regulations are critical to safeguarding public health, particularly when it comes to food supplies in schools.
This incident highlights the dangers of unbridled corruption, where profit and power are prioritized over the welfare of Ghana’s youth. The stakes are high, and Ghanaians await decisive actions to hold those responsible accountable for this egregious violation of public trust.
