Parents’ Council presses for review of Free SHS Food Policy amid expired rice scandal

The Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Council of Parents, Teachers Association (NCPTA), Irene Sam, has pledged that her organization will continue pressing authorities to address the concerns surrounding the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, especially regarding the quality of food fed to students.

Sam emphasized the need for authorities to accept complaints and work collaboratively to review the policy to ensure it is better suited to the needs of students.

“So we are not going to relent. we are going to push on, and make sure they get a listening ears and see how best we can review the policy and make it better for all of us,” she said.

“Whoever must listen to us, must listen to us because we gave birth to these children, and what happens to them affects us directly.”

Sam’s remarks come in the wake of an alarming incident involving approximately 22,000 bags of expired rice allegedly distributed to senior high schools.

She voiced concern that this is not the first time such an incident has occurred and criticized the authorities for ignoring complaints, often responding with political motives rather than addressing the issue.

“When we complain, they turn a deaf ear, putting on their political cap,” Sam stated.

Dr. Shiraz Issahaku, a Medical Physicist and President of the National Association of Allied Health Professionals, also weighed in on the issue, warning that the consumption of expired rice poses serious health risks to young students.

He called for legal action against those responsible for distributing the expired rice and urged the Ministry of Education to exercise greater caution when it comes to food safety in schools.

“It is extremely important that we don’t put in foods that will be very difficult for our system to rid off,” Issahaku said, stressing the long-term health implications for students consuming contaminated food.

Kweku Amedume, spokesperson for the National Suppliers Association, echoed these concerns, stating that the individuals involved in the distribution of expired food have jeopardized the health of students.

He highlighted that it is the responsibility of suppliers to ensure that the food provided to students is safe and fit for consumption.

Amedume called for immediate investigations and justice for the students who have been affected, reinforcing the need for stricter food safety standards within the Free SHS program.