A member of the campaign team for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kwadwo Poku, has indicated that the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) intends to thoroughly investigate the allegations regarding expired rice, as raised by North Tongu Lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Poku emphasized that Dr. Bawumia is genuinely concerned about these matters and is treating them with the utmost seriousness. He asserted that if the claims are substantiated, the professionals within relevant state agencies, including the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), should be held accountable.
Furthermore, he articulated that this issue transcends political boundaries, as none of the individuals implicated in the situation are politicians.
Should the allegations prove to be valid, he stated that the technocrats within these institutions ought to face investigation and potential charges for criminal conduct.
This is not a political issue, all the people mentioned in this at the FDA, Buffer stock, and lamens, are not politicians, they are technocrats.
This is a matter of criminality if it is proven, if it is true then the CID should come and investigate, I don’t think we should look at this issue as political, Let us not make this an election-winning issue, no politician is involved,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, November 23.
We don’t need to politicize this matter. Our flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia would ensure this issue is investigated when he wins the election. If anyone is found culpable, he or she must be punished.
Before his statement, Mr. Ablakwa expressed that if the Akufo-Addo administration demonstrated even a slight degree of concern, the president would have mandated health screenings for all senior high school students in light of the reported repackaging of expired rice into various bags for different schools.
Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that medical professionals have indicated that the ongoing consumption of contaminated rice may lead to liver cancer. Additionally, during his appearance on the Key Points program on TV3 on Saturday, November 23, he stated that
If we had a president who cared, he would have ordered the screening of SHS students. Doctors say that eating rice-infested could cause liver cancer, that is what they tell me, and so if we had any leader who cared, or had empathy they would have ordered a mass screening of our children.
Prior to delivering this statement, Mr. Ablakwa asserted that expired rice had been repackaged for use in the school feeding program at senior high schools.
He characterized the remarks made by Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare, which labeled his revelations as propaganda, as an extreme display of irresponsibility.
According to him, the best before date for Moshosho rice was set for 2023; however, he claims that this rice was repackaged based on the information available to him. During his appearance on the Key Points program on TV3 on Saturday, November 23, he elaborated on these issues.
The Chief of Staff’s comment is the height of recklessness and irresponsibility, you are to coordinate and invite all the institutions yet you don’t look at the facts but you jump to this reckless conclusion.
Can’t we respect our laws, can’t we follow standards?.
She characterized this as a form of propaganda and the spreading of rumors. When approached for her opinion on the issue, she informed journalists during the National Education Book launch on Monday, November 18 that
You know it is not true, so let us focus on things that move this country forward, how you advance the Ghanaian child, how you improve their opportunities so they become good citizens. Propaganda and rumour-mongering have no place in education.
