A shocking investigation led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has uncovered a disturbing and dangerous scheme involving the distribution of expired and contaminated rice to Senior High Schools (SHS) across Ghana.
The investigation reveals how political cronies within the government allowed the re-packaging and distribution of over 15,000 bags of expired rice, putting the health of thousands of students in jeopardy.
According to the MP’s investigation, a company, Lamens Investments Africa Ltd, was allowed to criminally re-package rice that had expired in December 2023 and was contaminated. The rice, initially imported from India, was re-bagged into white 50kg polypropylene bags with misleading labeling, including the false claim of being “Made-in-Ghana” and not bearing any expiry dates. This act violated the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) regulations and put the safety of SHS students at risk.
The process began when the Ashanti Regional FDA received a tip-off from a concerned citizen about suspicious activity at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) storage facility in Kumasi. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Lamens Investments Africa and NAFCO were engaged in re-packaging the rice without FDA authorization, with the rice being distributed to schools in various regions, including Greater Accra.
Despite the FDA and police’s findings, including significant health risks from the rice’s contamination, the distribution continued. Medical experts have warned that the contaminated rice, which showed signs of insect infestation and high-fat acidity, could lead to gastrointestinal issues, nutritional deficiencies, and even long-term liver damage from mycotoxin exposure.
Ablakwa’s investigation further reveals that political heavyweights within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) were involved in the cover-up. Alhaji Hanan Abdul-Wahab, CEO of NAFCO, and the NPP’s National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye, are named in the scandal. Lamens Investments Africa, which had no previous track record, was awarded a sole-source contract for the rice supply, raising questions about corrupt deals within the government.
Despite admitting guilt and paying part of a GHS 100,000 fine, Lamens Investments has reportedly not paid the full fine, and pressure from above prevented the FDA from fully addressing the matter. According to an internal memo, the initial plan to destroy the contaminated rice was thwarted, and the rice was distributed to SHS students.
Ablakwa has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, including the directors of Lamens Investments and the management of NAFCO. He also demands a full investigation into the Ministry of Education for their role in the scandal, as well as the involvement of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) and other stakeholders who failed to intervene.
In the wake of this scandal, the MP is urging that no food products without proper labeling, including expiry dates, should be supplied to any SHS. He also calls for stronger oversight to prevent such dangerous practices in the future, emphasizing the importance of student safety and the need to hold those responsible accountable.
The health implications of this scandal are grave, and Okudzeto Ablakwa vows not to rest until justice is served for the students who were subjected to these dangerous conditions.
Lamens Investments Africa is yet to react to the findings put out by the legislator.
The investigation details and further documents supporting the claims are attached in the original post.
