Investigation Urged Over Alleged Distribution of Maggot-Infested Rice to Senior High Schools

Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, has called for a thorough investigation into the distribution of an estimated 300,000 bags of rice suspected to be infested with maggots, reportedly provided to Senior High Schools (SHS).

Nortsu-Kotoe raised concerns, alleging that the rice, imported since 2021, had lingered uncleared at the ports due to hefty import duties, eventually surpassing its expiry date.

Highlighting the issue, the legislator stated, “There is this rice which was imported into the country in 2021 and has been kept at the warehouse all this time. My investigation shows that the inability of the importers of the rice from India to pay the import duties resulted in the rice being stored there.”

He further mentioned that recently, this rice was removed from the warehouse and distributed to secondary schools across the country. Nortsu-Kotoe emphasized the significance of this matter in Parliament, urging the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ministry of Education, and other pertinent stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

“It is now left for those who are responsible to go and conduct their own investigation and find out how the rice got to the schools. As I have made the allegation, it is for them to investigate and report back whether my claim is true or not,” he added.

The lawmaker’s plea underscores potential health risks for the students consuming the rice and calls for immediate action from relevant authorities to ascertain the truth behind these allegations.