A consultant toxicologist has warned that food sold on the Ghanaian market may contain harmful chemicals, urging stronger regulation to protect public health.
Speaking at a Media and Food Safety Forum in Accra, Yakubu Adams of the Forensic Investigation for National Development Ghana (FIND-GH) said poor oversight of agrochemical use and rising environmental pollution are putting consumers at risk.
The forum, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), highlighted growing concerns over unsafe food production practices in farming communities.
Mr. Adams explained that toxic chemicals from the misuse of pesticides and contamination from illegal mining could easily find their way into crops consumed by Ghanaians daily.
“Food safety is not optional. It affects everyone because we all eat,” he stressed, calling for urgent preventive measures rather than waiting to treat food-related illnesses.
He called on government to beef up the capacity of key regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), saying they lack adequate personnel to monitor food production effectively.
Touching on the impact of illegal mining (galamsey), Mr. Adams warned that mercury used in mining activities can evaporate, travel hundreds of kilometres, settle on farms and contaminate food crops, exposing consumers to long-term health complications.
He urged government, media and civil society to intensify public awareness and support stronger enforcement to safeguard Ghana’s food system.
