The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has assured Parliament that no rice or maize was lost under a government food distribution programme, despite challenges that disrupted the programme's rollout.

Officials from the ministry gave the assurance during a session of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament of Ghana, which is presently reviewing the Auditor- General’s Special Audit Report on government outstanding claims and commitments.

During the proceedings, the Vice Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for the Mpraeso Constituency, Davis Ansah Opoku, sought clarification on reports suggesting that commodities under the programme may have gone missing.

Responding to the question, the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, gave the committee a categorical assurance.

“No,” he stated, confirming that no rice or maize had been stolen or lost.

Officials of the ministry explained that while the commodities had been secured and prepared for distribution, the rollout of the programme encountered disruptions that prevented the full execution of transportation and distribution arrangements.

The ministry indicated that the commodities had been inspected and stored at supplier warehouses pending distribution across the country.

However, officials told the committee that events following the elections created difficulties that prevented transporters from accessing the warehouses to continue the distribution process.

The ministry stressed that the situation affected the implementation timeline of the programme but did not result in any loss of commodities.

Members of the committee noted that the hearings aimed to clarify issues arising from the Auditor-General’s report and to ensure proper accountability in the management of government programmes.

The Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament of Ghana is expected to continue its review of the report with other ministries, departments and agencies in upcoming sittings.