Lamens Ventures supplied unwholesome rice and milk to senior high schools in Ghana in 2021, the Auditor General’s report has revealed.
The report, which examines pre-university educational institutions for the financial year ending December 31, 2021, found that 65 bags of rice and five cartons of milk delivered to Prestea Hunni Valley Senior High and Technical School and Asankragwa Senior High School, respectively, were unfit for consumption during a September 2021 audit.
“In contravention of Section 52 of the PFM Act, 2016 (Act 921), we noted that supplies of 65 bags of rice in March 2021 to Prestea Hunni Valley Senior High and Technical School, and five cartons of carnation milk to Asankragwa Senior High School by Lamens Ventures were found to be unwholesome at our time of audit in September though the expiry date on the product was October 2021,” the report highlighted.
The Auditor General raised concerns that these items could be served to students during shortages, potentially causing health risks. It recommended that the school heads report the incident to the National Buffer Stock Company or be held accountable for any mishandling of the items.
This revelation aligns with recent accusations against Lamens Ventures and the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) over distributing expired rice to schools earlier this year. A parliamentary inquiry led by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa uncovered that over 15,000 bags of expired rice were allegedly rebranded and distributed, sparking outrage over student safety.
Mr. Ablakwa has called for legal action against those involved, warning of severe health risks for students. Both Lamens Ventures and NAFCO have yet to address the allegations.
