The Ministry of Education (MoE) has described as "positive feedback", revelations by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that some 22,000 bags of expired rice were repackaged and supplied to Senior High Schools across the country.

Spokesperson Kwasi Kwarteng told Joy FM that the Ministry has initiated an investigation into the allegations made on Wednesday, 13th November.

Ablakwa claimed that the National Food Buffer Stock Company, in collaboration with a company named Lamens Investments Africa Limited, distributed the expired rice.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, the Buffer Stock’s storage facility in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, was used to repackage the expired rice that had been imported from India.

• Read also: 22,000 bags of expired rice allegedly distributed to SHSs across Ghana – Ablakwa

He alleged that the rice, which had expired in December 2023, was repackaged into locally produced sacks and labelled “ECOWAS” and “Made in Ghana rice,” which did not display any expiry date.

In a subsequent statement issued on Thursday, the MoE expressed its gratitude to Mr. Ablakwa for bringing the matter to its attention, emphasising that it takes the allegations very seriously and has initiated an urgent investigation.

The Ministry noted that it had engaged both the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) and the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), the bodies responsible for supplying and distributing food to senior high schools.

“Together, we have launched a comprehensive investigation into the concerns raised by Hon. Ablakwa,” the Ministry's statement read.

The MoE reassured students, parents, guardians, and the general public of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of every student in its care.