GH¢60,483 Unwholesome Products Destroyed
A quantity of expired and unwholesome products valued at GH¢60,483 were destroyed by the Western Regional office of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in the first quarter of this year.
They included illegally imported products which were confiscated at the Takoradi Harbour.
George Paintsil, Western Regional Director of FDB, made this known here last Friday at a regional heads of department meeting.
He also disclosed that the board last week, destroyed 1,000 cartons of expired canned drinks and pharmaceuticals.
He said the board has also detected a quantity of fake Zentel 200mg products on the market and has so far withdrawn about 489 packets.
He said the board has provided all Police and CEPS check- points in the Western and Central regions test kits for the testing of salt being transported across the borders to ensure that they are iodised.
He said non-iodated salt are to be confiscated and drivers/owners detained and prosecuted in accordance with FDB Amendment Law Act 523 in 1996.
Mr Paintsil said the board would soon embark on a programme to test bread on the market to ensure that they do not contain potassium bromate which is injurious to health.
He hinted also that the next move of the board would be an attack on coloured food items and application of chemicals on fruits and vegetables to facilitate their ripening, adding that colour is dangerous to human health and cautioned the public against patronising such food items.
Addressing the meeting earlier, the Western Regional Minister, A.E. Amoah, asked them to ensure that government policies reflect in their programmes, projects and activities.
"It is also your responsibility as custodians of government property and resources to ensure that assets of the state are properly taken care of and judiciously used," he said.
He pointed out that with the rising cost of crude oil on the international market and its attendant high cost of fuel, departmental heads should be concerned about vehicles of their sectors and monitor their movements so as to save some money for the state.
He said absenteeism and lateness to work should not be countenanced.
Mr Amoah said in the next two years, Ghana would be producing oil with the Western Region at the centre of affairs.
Consequently, he asked the heads of department to begin to plan towards dealing with the influx of people into the region.
For instance, he said, there might be the need for more schools, hospitals, water facilities, power supply food and others, to cater for the additional population.