We’ll not accept these unscrupulous acts – Kwesi Kwarteng on alleged distribution of expired rice to SHSs

The PRO of the Ministry of Education, Kwesi Kwarteng, has affirmed that his outfit will not tolerate the distribution of expired foodstuffs to Senior High Schools (SHSs) nationwide.

According to him, the Ministry is committed to protecting the safety of students, regardless of their level in the educational system.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Newsnight on Thursday, 14 November, Mr Kwarteng stated that the Ministry has commenced investigations into the alleged distribution of expired rice to SHSs nationwide.

He added that the Ministry cannot undertake this investigation alone and called on state institutions, particularly the Ghana Police Service, to initiate an investigation into the matter as well.

“At no point will the Ministry of Education countenance on some of these unscrupulous activities no matter who is involved,” he said.

“We are very much convinced that at the end of the investigations, we will be able to get to the bottom…. and get to know the individuals or the personalities behind these unscrupulous activities that have happened.”

His comments follow allegations made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who claimed that a total of 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice were distributed to various SHSs across the country.

He alleged that the consignment was distributed through the Free Senior High School Secretariat in February this year.

The North Tongu legislator, who also serves as Chair of the Assurances Committee in Parliament, said his investigation, launched after a tip-off, revealed that the act was deliberate.

“The National Food Buffer Stock Company clearly conspired with a company known as Lamens Investments Africa Limited. They used the Buffer Stock storage facility in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region, to repackage expired rice.

“This company brought in rice from India, the brand ‘Moshosho rice’, which expired in December 2023. Upon realising the rice had expired, they conspired with the Buffer Stock company to use their premises for re-bagging,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa explained that the rice was repackaged into locally made sacks labelled with “ECOWAS,” “Made in Ghana rice,” but without an expiry date.

On the back of this, the Education Ministry PRO acknowledged that the allegation of expired rice distribution to SHSs provides valuable feedback for the Ministry.

According to him, the Ministry will use this feedback to improve its service delivery in the education sector.

Mr Kwarteng stated, “It is important to reiterate that we take these allegations very seriously, and we have immediately commenced investigations.”

He further clarified that the ministry itself does not engage in food distribution and supply; rather, this responsibility falls to the National Food Buffer Stock Company and the Ghana Commodity Exchange.

“We are jointly looking into the concerns or the matters that have been raised. We need certain responses from them,” he said.

“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 added.

Mr Kwarteng assured parents, guardians, and the general public that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring students’ safety, regardless of where they are located.

“We will pursue this matter and ensure that the safety and well-being of our students sound paramount,” he added.