CLEANING UP GHANA'S FOOD AND MEDICINE

By: Ryan Millward

The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) have revealed their ongoing efforts in the quest to ensure that Ghanaians receive food, drugs and chemicals that meet the official standards set by Government.

The FDB moderate and monitor the quality of food and drugs in Ghana; since being set up in 1997 in Kumasi, they operate under law 305B to improve the quality of food and drugs whilst using the motto that 'the prime objective is the consumer so that they are protected'. In such, they exist to deal with food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics and household chemicals to ensure they are fit to be purchased and used by the general public.

At a press meeting in Cape Coast on the 26th of July, the working officials disclosed their information and efforts in managing the quality of food and drugs throughout the regions of Ghana. Their aim to regulate manufacturing, importation, exportation, distribution and advertisements that are all involved in a variety of food and drugs that are available to the public. The Head of the Food and Drugs Board for the Central Region reported the processes and applications that the FDB undergo. Joseph Y.B Bennie told how: "By exercising our mandate, the board ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food and drugs." Starting with food, Mr Bennie said: " If food is sold that is unwholesome, poisonous or adulterated, it is illegal and we can shut the sellers down." "The boards role is to ensure the consumer is not lied to about the quality or type of food and in such, the consumer is protected." From the commitment and enthusiasm evident in all the staff's voices and efforts, it certainly seems that the quality of food in Ghana is being intensely looked at by the board.



Some of the press at the meeting

 After detailing their efforts in monitoring food, the Head of the Food and Drugs Board for the Central Region moves on to their processes in monitoring drugs that are available to the Ghanaian public. Some of their efforts include regulation of sellers, staff, advertisements, importation, doses, samples and the registration of herbal and homeopathic drugs. Joseph Y.B Bennie said: "We want to ensure that all the processes that lead to the manufacture and distribution of drugs are safe so that yet again, the consumer is protected." The FBD went on later to warn people about fake medicines with alleged 'spiritual powers'. One medicine claimed that if you take it 'you would get everything you want'. The board are constantly warning people about this and aim to shut these medicines down. Undoubtedly the FBD seem equally committed to ensuring that the drugs and chemicals that reach the public, are just as monitored as the food we eat daily; after all, as the past has shown, lives are at stake.

Spot the difference, Fake food next to Real food

Later on in the meeting the Head of Communications for The Food and Drugs Board, James Y.Lartey, added to Mr Bennie's comments. Mr Lartey recalled: "In Nigeria people walk around selling medicine out of baskets on their heads with no license or regulation upon them." "This is what we are completely against; we need to act fast and make sure fake medicine and food are off the market." The Head of Communications then told how investigations by the FBD shown buildings used to contain food and water were covered in filth and dirt with rodents and insects infesting the area. A bottle of water uncovered from the place was then shown and although water usually remains clear, this one, as obviously evident to the press at the meeting, was brown.

The press meeting was very reassuring to see that there was a lot of work being done in looking after the health and well being of the general public. The scope of the FBD's activities looks to be ever expanding; they now do Post Market Surveillance where they go out into the market , buy some drugs or food, take them to the labs to inspect them and then evaluate them to see if they meet the standards required for them to be sold. Other activities include random premises inspections, documentation, label evaluation and advert evaluation. The latter remains one of their strongest policies with the board having the power to fine media houses  20,000 Ghana cedis fines that show misleading adverts about drugs or food.

All in all the meeting in Cape Coast showed the press that the FDB are thoroughly active in their operations in steering the Ghanaian public to safer, cleaner and better food and drugs. By operating with clients such as the Ghana Health Service, Police Service as well as local governments, the activities the board undergo is ever increasing. The Food and Drugs Board now call out to the public to get involved in improving the quality of food and drugs; in the words of the Head of Communications, James Y.Lartey, "If you want us to investigate something, inform us and we will work with you." Here's hoping the public respond and Ghana's quality of food and drugs continues to improve in the future.