Minority demands arrest of Lamens Directors over expired rice supplied to SHSs

The Minority in Parliament has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investment Africa Limited and called for sanctions against the Board and Management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company. This follows allegations that expired and repackaged rice was distributed to Senior High Schools across the country.

North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, speaking on behalf of the Minority, accused the two institutions of colluding to distribute 22,000 bags of expired rice to schools. Ablakwa also noted that Lamens Investment Africa Limited had been flagged by the Auditor-General in 2021 for supplying unwholesome food items to schools, but no punitive action had been taken.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, November 18, Ablakwa stated, “The NDC Caucus also 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 be sanctioned for allowing their storage facility to be used for this atrocious act and operating unregistered storage facilities across the country.”

He emphasized the health risks posed by the distribution of expired rice, saying, “Such recklessness which sacrifices the health of our students for corrupt transactions must not go unpunished.”

The Minority also called for a nationwide health screening for Senior High School students who may have consumed the allegedly contaminated rice. Ablakwa urged the Ministry of Education to act swiftly, stating, “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.”

The call highlights the Minority’s concerns over public health and accountability, urging prompt action to prevent further harm.