Kwadwo Poku, a member of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, has assured that the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will thoroughly investigate the expired rice scandal raised by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa once he assumes office.
Poku emphasized that Bawumia is deeply concerned about the issue and takes it seriously.
He suggested that technocrats at institutions such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) should be held accountable if the claims are substantiated.
Poku clarified that this should not be seen as a political matter since none of the individuals implicated in the scandal are politicians.
“If the allegations are true, the technocrats at the FDA and other relevant agencies should be investigated and face legal consequences,” Poku stated during a discussion on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, November 23.
He further stressed, “This is not a political issue, as those involved at the FDA, Buffer Stock, and related institutions are technocrats, not politicians. If proven, this is a matter of criminality that warrants an investigation by the CID.”
Poku also stated that Bawumia, if elected, would ensure a thorough investigation and hold any guilty parties accountable.
Earlier, Mr. Ablakwa had criticized the Akufo-Addo administration for not taking swift action to protect the health of senior high school students, following claims that expired rice had been repackaged for distribution in schools. He suggested that health screenings should have been ordered immediately, warning that consuming contaminated rice could lead to liver cancer.
Ablakwa further criticized the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare, for dismissing his claims as propaganda, calling her remarks reckless. He insisted that the rice in question had passed its “best before” date and was repackaged, according to his information.
In response to the controversy, the FDA clarified that the rice had been approved for consumption and met safety standards, despite the unauthorized re-bagging. The FDA imposed a GH¢100,000 fine on Lamens Ventures, the company responsible for repackaging the rice, for breaching regulatory procedures.
Despite these issues, the FDA confirmed that the rice was safe for consumption, having undergone rigorous testing. However, it noted that the company had violated regulations by re-bagging the rice without prior FDA approval and in an unlicensed facility.
The FDA has since extended the rice’s “best before” date to April 2024 after conducting further scientific evaluations.
