Health officials in Ivory Coast on Wednesday, destroyed tonnes of rice that had been declared unfit for human consumption.
Its point of origin was Myanmar, South East Asia. The shipment according to reports, had been refused entry at different points across the West African coast. Ghana, Guinea and Togo had all rejected it over quality issues.
The consignment was subsequently allowed into Ivory Coast, where it failed quality control tests.
Rice has become a staple food across most parts of Africa. Many countries however depend on imports because local farmers are unable to meet the ever-rising demands.
Countries across the West African Coast are important conduits for imports of products. Most of them also serve landlocked neighbours. A typical case in point, being Ghana’s importance to Burkina Faso.
There have been issues with the abuse of ports of entry with several reports pointing to the influx of especially drugs as a result of complicity and official corruption.