The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament is calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of directors of Lamens Company, following the distribution of 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice to Senior High Schools across the country.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, North Tongu lawmaker and Ranking Member on the Education Committee, the company’s actions compromised the health and safety of students, and “such recklessness” should not go unpunished.
“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,” Ablakwa said at a press conference on Monday, November 18.
Furthermore, Ablakwa called for the mass screening of Senior High School students for any health implications following the consumption of the ‘expired‘ rice.
“Immediately after this scandal broke, public health officials announced a major screening exercise because the doctors have told us about the medium to long-term implications of this insect-infested, highly acidic, and contaminated rice. But here we are, they are all playing ostriches. The Ministry of Education should open its doors for this screening to be done,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has confirmed that it has begun investigating the allegations amidst growing concerns over the potential health risks posed to students.
The Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Kwasi Kwarteng in a Facebook post emphasized the seriousness with which the matter is being handled.
“We take these allegations seriously and, as a matter of urgency, have commenced a full investigation. The Ministry has also engaged the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) and the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), the entities responsible for the supply and distribution of food to senior high schools,” he stated.
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