Expired Rice saga : I I know exactly who did it, I cannot trust investigation to be independent - Ablakwa
Accra, Ghana - Nov 16, 2024 - Ghana's Education Ministry is facing serious allegations of involvement in the distribution of expired rice to senior high schools across the country. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP and whistleblower, claims the Ministry either actively participated in or knowingly allowed the distribution of 22,000 bags of expired rice imported by Lamens Investments Africa Ltd in 2022.
The expired rice was reportedly repackaged and distributed to several schools in Greater Accra in February 2024, putting students at risk of serious health complications, including cancer.
Ablakwa had brought the issue to the attention of Deputy Education Minister John Ntim Fordjour in January 2024, but the expired rice was still distributed the following month.
In response, the Education Ministry's PRO, Kwesi Kwarteng, acknowledged the allegations and stated that the Ministry takes them seriously and has commenced investigations.
“It is important to reiterate that we take these allegations very seriously, and we have immediately commenced investigations.”
“We are jointly looking into the concerns or the matters that have been raised. We need certain responses from them.''
“But the most important thing is that we take the feedback as a very positive feedback. We are glad that the Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is bringing this to our notice and we are working on it,” he stated.
However, speaking with Joy News, Ablakwa remains skeptical about the Ministry's ability to conduct an independent investigation.
“Why are they pretending that I have brought this to their attention? That is why I insist that we need an independent impartial investigation. The Ministry of Education is complicit,” he said.
“It came from the Ministry of Education. And I know exactly who did that. We will smoke them out soon.''
“I cannot trust that it will be independent,'' he added.
Source: Florence Kyei / Lead News Online
