NDC Caucus exposes dangerous food scandal endangering SHS students

The NDC Caucus in Parliament, led by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has uncovered a shocking scandal involving the re-bagging and distribution of expired and contaminated Moshosho Rice imported from India. This rice, deemed unfit for consumption due to high fat acidity and insect infestation, was fraudulently rebranded as “Made-in-Ghana” rice by the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in collaboration with Lamens Africa Investments Ltd.

Key revelations include:

1. Fraudulent Re-packaging: Over 22,000 50kg bags of expired rice were re-packaged without FDA approval, concealing the expiry date and country of origin.

2. Health Risks: Analysis by the FDA revealed the rice contained significant insect presence and high fat acidity, posing long-term health risks to students, including gastrointestinal disorders and carcinogenic exposure.

3. Distribution Before Approval: Despite the FDA’s ongoing analysis, the contaminated rice was distributed to SHS dining halls in February 2024.

4. Political Complicity: NAFCO, under the leadership of Alhaji Hanan Abdul-Wahab and with connections to key NPP figures, facilitated this operation. Lamens, implicated in past food safety scandals, was single-sourced for the importation.

The Caucus emphasized that this scandal represents a gross violation of Ghana’s Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) and Food Labelling Regulation (LI 1541). The NDC calls for immediate accountability and sanctions for those responsible for endangering students’ health.

Hon. Ablakwa further highlighted the moral and legal implications of this scandal, noting that all 22,000 bags have since been consumed by students. He urged urgent reforms to safeguard the health of vulnerable Ghanaians and demanded prosecution of those complicit in this “devilish act of greed.”

The NDC Caucus demands full accountability, urging President Akufo-Addo’s government to prioritize the safety of Ghanaian citizens over political and economic interests.