Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng, has accused North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of exploiting the controversy surrounding the distribution of expired rice to Senior High Schools for political relevance.
His comments come in response to a call from the Minority in Parliament for the arrest and prosecution of the Directors of Lamens Investments Africa Limited, as well as sanctions against the Board and Management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NFBS), following allegations that these institutions were involved in distributing 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice to schools across the country.
Ablakwa has accused Lamens Investments and the NFBS of conspiring to distribute the expired rice, which he claims was repackaged and misrepresented as safe for consumption.
The North Tongu MP also revealed that Lamens Investments had been flagged by the Auditor-General in 2021 for supplying unwholesome food items to schools, but no action had been taken by the government to address the issue.
Addressing the press on Monday, November 18, on behalf of the Minority, Ablakwa stated that, “The NDC Caucus also demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investments Africa Limited.
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 operating unregistered storage facilities across the country.
Kwarteng, however, dismissed these allegations, suggesting that Ablakwa was using the situation to further his political agenda rather than focus on finding a resolution.
