Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to halt the operations of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) following allegations of the distribution of expired rice to Senior High Schools (SHSs) across Ghana.

The claims, made by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, suggest that over 20,000 bags of expired rice were repackaged and supplied to SHSs within the year.

This has led to public outcry and prompted the Ministry of Education to launch an investigation into the matter.

Addressing supporters at a mini rally in Asawinso in the Western North region, Mahama reiterated his stance that NAFCO would no longer be tasked with supplying food to schools under his leadership.

Instead, he proposed a new approach where schools would receive financial allocations directly, allowing them to purchase their own food items.

Mahama emphasised that if elected, his administration would overhaul the school feeding program, ensuring that students receive nutritious and safe meals.

The flagbearer has vowed to create a transparent and efficient system to prevent such incidents in the future.

“I know you have heard that some expired rice have been repackaged and distributed by the National Buffer Stock to various SHSs across the country for our kids to eat. Because they do not want us to see that the rice has expired, they have repackaged it and distributed it to various schools to be given to our students to eat.”

“That is why we the NDC 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.”