Minority Alleges Import Breach in School Feeding Programme, Demands Probe -

Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has accused contractors linked to the government of bypassing directives to procure locally produced rice under the School Feeding Programme, opting instead for imports and undermining Ghanaian farmers.

Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum, he described the alleged practice as a serious breach of procurement standards at a time when national policy is focused on boosting domestic agricultural production.

According to him, suppliers engaged under the programme were expected to source rice from local farmers in line with a presidential directive. However, he claimed many have turned to imports, effectively excluding farmers who had positioned themselves to meet the anticipated demand.

Mr Afenyo-Markin warned that the development poses significant risks to the rice value chain, particularly for local producers who depend on government-supported markets for sustainability.

He also raised concerns about a lack of transparency in the award of contracts, noting that repeated calls for disclosure have not been met. He referenced demands by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana for the National Food Buffer Stock Company to publish details of contractors, a request he said remains unanswered.

Describing the situation as a failure of procurement integrity rather than market dynamics, the Minority Leader indicated that the Minority Caucus will push for full parliamentary scrutiny, including disclosure of contract details and identification of beneficiaries.

He further called for reforms to ensure government-backed agricultural programmes deliver tangible benefits to local producers, cautioning that continued lapses could erode confidence in policies aimed at strengthening food security and supporting rural livelihoods.