The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investment Africa Limited, along with punitive actions against the Board and Management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, following allegations of distributing expired rice to Senior High Schools across the country.
This call comes after North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, exposed the alleged distribution of 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice to schools, accusing the two entities of collusion in endangering the health of students.
Speaking at a press conference, Ablakwa criticized the lack of accountability, pointing out that Lamens Investment Africa Limited had previously been flagged by the Auditor-General in 2021 for supplying unwholesome food items, yet no corrective action was taken.
“The NDC Caucus demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investment Africa Limited. The Board and Management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company must also be sanctioned for facilitating this reprehensible act and for operating unregistered storage facilities across the country,” Ablakwa declared.
He labeled the act as reckless and corrupt, asserting that it endangered the health of students. “Such recklessness, which sacrifices the health of our students for corrupt transactions, must not go unpunished,” he added.
The Minority further called for an urgent mass screening of Senior High School students for potential health issues arising from consuming the alleged expired rice.
“Public health officials announced a major screening exercise after this scandal broke, citing medium- to long-term health implications of this insect-infested, highly acidic, and contaminated rice. However, the Ministry of Education has failed to act. It must immediately facilitate this screening to safeguard the health of our students,” Ablakwa emphasized.
The scandal has sparked outrage, with growing calls for accountability and immediate measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Godfred Sey/ Ahotoronline.com
