The Minority in Parliament has called for the arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investment Africa Limited, alongside the sanctioning of the Board and Management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
This demand follows serious allegations that expired and repackaged rice, totaling 22,000 bags, was distributed to Senior High Schools (SHSs) nationwide.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed this during a press conference, accusing both entities of endangering students’ health through their actions.
“The NDC Caucus demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of the directors of Lamens Investments Africa Limited, Mr Agyefi Mensah and Simon Agyei – those two directors. Simon Agyei at the time of the arrest was there supervising the illegal operations at the Buffer Stock company in Kumasi before the order came from above that he should be released. We demand their re-arrest and prosecution,” he said.
Ablakwa further highlighted that this was not the first infraction by Lamens Investment Africa Limited, referencing a 2021 Auditor-General’s report that had cited the company for supplying unwholesome food items to schools.
He criticized the government for failing to take any corrective measures in the past, which has now culminated in this fresh scandal.
The MP emphasized the urgent need for accountability and immediate action to prevent further harm.
In addition, the Minority has urged the Ministry of Education to conduct mass health screenings for all affected students to identify any potential health repercussions from consuming the contaminated rice.
According to Ablakwa, public health officials had already warned of possible medium- to long-term effects, including exposure to insect-infested and highly acidic food.
He condemned the “recklessness” that prioritized profits over student safety and called for prompt intervention to ensure justice and safeguard public health.