The NDC’s presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, has supported his proposal to eliminate the National Food Buffer Stock Company’s involvement in supplying food to Senior High Schools (SHSs).
This is a key part of his broader plan to reassess the Free SHS policy.
Mahama’s remarks come in response to allegations raised by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who accused the National Food Buffer Stock company of distributing 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice to SHSs across the country in February 2024.
Mr Ablakwa further claimed that the distribution was conducted in collaboration with a company called Lamens Investments Africa Limited.
Speaking during a campaign event in Asawinso, Western North region, Mahama explained that the decentralization of food distribution is key to improving the system.
He said, “I know you have heard that some expired and repackaged bags of rice have been distributed by the National Buffer Stock to various SHSs across the country for our kids to eat.
“That is why we say we won’t buy foodstuff for the schools. The money for the food will be given to the schools directly to make such purchases”.