Why should rice be imported from India while local farmers are struggling? – Ablakwa

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has questioned the ruling government’s decision to supply students in high schools with imported rice from India instead of supporting locally produced rice from Ghana.

In an interview on the JoyNews AM Show monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Okudzeto raised concerns about the so-called “Moshosho rice,” which, according to him, was manufactured in India, contrary to claims that it was locally produced. He further stated that the rice had expired, adding to the controversy.

He also expressed his dismay over the current state of the local rice industry, particularly highlighting a rice factory in the Volta Region that has been dormant for the past two years.

“I have been asking why we import rice from India to feed our children in school when we have local alternatives,” he said. “There is a rice factory in the Volta Region that has been closed for two years. Why should we allow a local rice factory to collapse while our farmers continue to suffer?”

Okudzeto emphasized that one of the main objectives of the School Feeding Program and the establishment of buffer stocks was to promote locally produced food. “It’s been scientifically proven that local rice is healthier and fresher,” he added. “Yet, our industries are struggling, and some are even collapsing.”

The Ministry of Education has launched a thorough investigation into allegations that expired and contaminated “Moshosho” rice has been repackaged and distributed to Senior High Schools. Okudzeto Ablakwa has accused a company, Lamens Investments Africa Limited, of engaging in fraudulent activities in collaboration with the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).

Ablakwa’s investigation reveals that over 33,000 bags of 50kg rice were imported from India by Satya Balajee Rice Industries PVT Ltd. Of these, 22,000 bags were stored at NAFCO’s Kumasi facility, while the remaining 10,000 bags were kept at a bonded warehouse in Tema.

Upon discovering that the rice had expired, Lamens Investments and NAFCO allegedly repackaged the rice into new 50kg polypropylene bags marked “CEDAO ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve.”

According to Ablakwa, the repackaged, expired rice has already been distributed to several senior high schools, including PRESEC Legon and Bolga Girls.