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The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Henry Musa Kpaka, during his visit at the World Food Program (WFP) store at Kissy, addressed the escalating rumours regarding a hefty tonnes of rice donated by the Chinese Government to Sierra Leone.
His response came amidst the growing concerns from the public alleging that the Sierra Leone government has received Twenty-one ships of rice donated by the Chinese Government to the people of Sierra Leone.
In his statement of rectifying the rumors, the Minister said, in this year, 2025, the Chinese Government donated 1,380 metric tonnes (MT) of rice to the people of Sierra Leone, which is equivalent to 27,600 bags (50kg) of rice or 60 containers. He admitted that they have received the first two installments of the donation.
“When the rice came, as always, we took it to the cabinet to decide on what to do with it. This year, the cabinet decided that the rice should go to the School Feeding Program, and that 7,000 bags of rice should be given to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for the artisanal fishermen because they closed the season for fishing this year,” he explained.
The Minister went forward to assert that Sierra Leone has been receiving such donations for the past three years, confirming that in the year 2023, they received 1,114 MT of rice, which was also given to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education for the School Feeding Program.
In response to the question, “why the government allocated rice to the Ministry of Agriculture?” he said it is for “food for work,” in order for farmers not to go hungry while farming, admitting that it was for that reason the Ministry would continue receiving donated rice.
“But because we have the Free Quality Education, which comprises of the School Feeding Program, the cabinet decided that at any time the rice comes, let’s give it to the School Feeding Program, which your children will consume at schools. The rice will go to the MBSSE (Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education) with no cost attach, which they will give to the school feeding program through their partners,” he affirmed strongly.
The Minister concluded by admonishing the public over the rumours surrounding the donated rice, reiterating that they have given 7,000 bags of rice to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and that they are waiting on the remaining rice to come, for it to be officially handed over to them, so that the school children would receive it through the MBSSE.
This minister or ministry has no reason to exist in Sierra Leone, because it’s the most dormant ministry.
What this minister is really producing for the masses?
Shameless and useless minister
Despite the school program I agree with it s confidence is the best, but the main thing the minister doesn’t have the rights to use the rice for your farmers just only,
Then what about the disabled people they should have a percent, I don’t believe any ministry in this country,
From all his explanation I see no reality in it and why it is now the minister is telling us about the rice and how it distributed from my opinion this gift those not reach’s the actual beneficiaries