FDA should decentralise product testing, stop blaming Upper East businesses – Alagumgube

The founder of Alagumgube, Gabriel Agambila, has responded to the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) recent warning over the sale of unregistered products in the Upper East Region, arguing that the Authority should focus on decentralising its product testing and approval system rather than creating the impression that businesses in the region are deliberately flouting regulations.

The FDA, through its Upper East Regional Office, recently cautioned traders, manufacturers and consumers against the sale and purchase of unregistered regulated products, stressing that such products pose serious public health risks because they have not undergone the necessary safety, quality and efficacy assessments.

Reacting to the development, Mr. Agambila said the challenge extends beyond compliance and reflects structural bottlenecks within the regulatory system.

According to him, many entrepreneurs and food processors in the Upper East Region submit their products to the FDA office in Bolgatanga, only to be directed to Accra for laboratory testing and final approval.

He argued that the delays involved in transporting products and waiting for laboratory results often leave producers, especially those dealing in perishable goods, counting significant losses.

"Instead of portraying the region as a hub for unauthorised products, the FDA should decentralise its testing and approval processes. Many products end up spoiling while business owners wait for approval from Accra," he said.

Mr. Agambila further alleged that the FDA’s enforcement efforts appear to disproportionately affect small-scale entrepreneurs in the Upper East Region, while some imported products that require closer scrutiny remain on the market.

According to him, some imported goods, particularly products he described as Chinese goods, are allegedly sold without clearly indicated expiry dates or proper labelling, yet continue to be available in local markets.

He questioned the Authority’s enforcement priorities, arguing that greater attention should be given to identifying and removing potentially unsafe products from circulation while making the registration and approval process more accessible to local producers.

"Rather than making life difficult for poor entrepreneurs in the Upper East, the FDA should focus on dealing with allegedly expired imported products and decentralise its product testing and approval system. That is how we can protect consumers while also supporting local businesses," Mr. Agambila said.

Mr. Agambila maintained that equipping regional FDA offices with modern laboratories and granting them greater authority to conduct product testing would reduce turnaround time, cut transportation costs and encourage more businesses to register their products.

He further noted that such a move would boost compliance, support local manufacturing and strengthen confidence in Ghana’s food and pharmaceutical regulatory system.

While acknowledging the FDA’s mandate to protect public health, the Alagumgube founder insisted that improving access to regulatory services would achieve better results than relying on a highly centralised approval system.

He called on the government and the FDA to invest in regional laboratory infrastructure so entrepreneurs outside Accra can access faster and more efficient regulatory services without unnecessary delays.

The FDA has, in recent years, intensified market surveillance across the Upper East Region, confiscating and destroying expired, unregistered and non-conforming products while urging consumers to verify FDA registration numbers before purchasing regulated products.