Use of unapproved agro-chemicals, major health danger

Kumasi, Dec 16, GNA - Media personnel have been asked to support the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to prevent the misuse of agro-chemicals by farmers, which could result in deaths, cancer, miscarriage, jaundice, fibrosis and infertility.

Mrs Matilda Danso, Director of Women-in-Agriculture Development, operating in the Ashanti Region, who made the call, called on journalists to educate the people about the dangers of using unapproved agro-chemicals.

She was addressing a section of media practitioners in Kumasi on the "proliferation of use of unapproved agro-chemicals and its health implications on the people."

It was organized by the Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the National Population Council (NPC) as part of activities to mark the World Population Day.

Mrs Danso said MOFA had stepped up efforts at creating the needed awareness among farmers and agro-chemical dealers on the harmful effects of chemicals and called on other stakeholders to join the initiative.

Mr Kwasi Marfo, Pesticides Inspector, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services, MOFA, said there was the need to ensure that all agro-chemicals on the market received the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency.

He advised farmers to ensure that they wear protective gear, when using agro-chemicals.

Mr Kwadwo Peprah, an Assistant Ashanti Regional Population Officer, expressed concern about the increase in maternal mortality in the region due to unsafe abortions and complications and inadequate facilities at the hospitals.

He said that the NPC would collaborate with the Ghana Health Service to sensitize women on the need to adopt family planning.

GNA