Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has alleged that contractors with ties to government are sidestepping directives to procure locally grown rice for the School Feeding Programme, opting instead for imports and, in the process, disadvantaging Ghanaian farmers.

Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum on April 3, 2026, he described the development as a troubling violation of procurement standards, particularly at a time when national policy is geared toward boosting domestic agricultural production.

According to him, suppliers contracted under the programme were expected to source rice from local farmers in line with a presidential directive, yet have chosen to import, effectively shutting out producers who had prepared for the anticipated demand.

He warned that the situation carries serious consequences for players within the rice value chain, many of whom had relied on government-backed market opportunities.

The Minority Leader also raised concerns about opacity in the award of these contracts, noting that repeated demands for disclosure have gone unanswered. He referenced calls by the Peasant Farmers Association for the National Food Buffer Stock Company to publish the identities of contractors, a request he said has yet to be honoured.

He condemned the development as a breakdown in procurement integrity rather than a failure of the market.

Mr Afenyo-Markin indicated that the Minority Caucus will push for full parliamentary scrutiny of the matter, including demands for contract details and the identification of beneficiaries.

He further advocated reforms to ensure government-backed agricultural initiatives deliver real benefits to local producers, cautioning that such lapses could undermine confidence in policies aimed at strengthening food security and rural livelihoods.