MoE releases outcome of investigation into expired rice distributed to SHSs

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has released the outcome of the investigation it launched into a claim that some over 20,000 bags of rice which expired in late 2023 were repackaged and distributed to various public second-cycle schools across the country in February this year.

The outcome of the investigation comes after Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa claimed that the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) conspired with Lamens Investments Africa Limited to distribute expired rice, which had originally expired in December 2023.

In an interview, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu alleged that the rice was repackaged in locally made sacks with misleading labels such as “ECOWAS” and “Made in Ghana rice” but lacked an expiry date.

He disclosed that the Ashanti Regional Police Command and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the region, upon receiving a tip-off, intercepted the food for investigation but it was later released for onward distribution.

“Can you believe that, before the test results arrived from the FDA in Accra on 6th February, an instruction came from above that the expired, contaminated rice should be distributed to the schools? So, as we speak, all 22,000 bags of rice that the police sought to confiscate have been sent to the schools,” Mr Ablakwa said in the interview.

Findings of supply of expired rice to students under Free SHS programme

1. The National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) engaged Lamens Ventures to procure rice for distribution to students under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program.

2. A total of 11,000 metric tons of rice was imported, with an initial expiry date of December 2023.

3. By the last quarter of 2023, NAFCO still had a portion of this stock yet to be supplied to schools.

4. On the advice of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Lamens Ventures followed the necessary protocols to have the rice re-tested in India, its country of origin.

5. ⁠The re-testing was to ascertain the possibility of extending the rice’s shelf life by an additional year, to December 2024.

5. Following further evaluations and verifications, the FDA granted a temporary extension of the rice’s “Best Before” date to 30th April 2024, after confirming the product’s continued wholesomeness.

6. ⁠It is important to note that February 2024 was the last time Lamens distributed these rice to schools through NAFCO and at the time the rice was deemed wholesome by the FDA

7. ⁠To address concerns from schools regarding the rice’s perceived expiry date, Lamens Ventures submitted a formal request to the FDA, dated 9th February 2024, seeking approval to re-bag the remaining stock to reflect the updated shelf life.

8. The rice was certified by the FDA as wholesome for consumption, with its new expiry date extended to April, 2024.