Traders at the Madina and Bohye markets in the Greater Accra Region have raised concerns over the alleged use of chemicals by some vendors to artificially ripen fruits and other agricultural produce, calling for stronger regulatory and enforcement action to protect consumers.
The traders have appealed to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to investigate the alleged practice, warning that consumers could unknowingly be exposed to harmful substances through food sold on the market.
They expressed particular concern about the possible health implications of consuming fruits and other produce treated with unapproved chemicals, with some linking the practice to the reported increase in kidney-related diseases among Ghanaians.
The concerns were raised during a stakeholder engagement organised by the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly for traders at the Madina and Bohye markets.
One of the traders questioned why chemicals allegedly being used to artificially ripen food were allowed to enter the country in the first place, arguing that greater attention must be paid to the food supply chain.
“We market women and killers are the same. Those who add chemicals to foodstuffs do not consume them; they only sell them,” she said.
She expressed concern that while some traders may be applying the chemicals to food for commercial purposes, they themselves may not consume the produce treated in that manner.
“Who imports the chemicals into the country? Most of the foodstuffs we sell are already poisoned,” she alleged.
The trader therefore called on the government to identify the chemicals allegedly being misused and remove them from the market.
“We are calling on the government to see to it that chemicals put in these foods are taken off the markets. It should go back to where it came from. Most of the kidney diseases are a result of these,” she said in Twi language and translated into English by The Chronicle.
She further called for tighter monitoring of the importation and distribution of chemicals to prevent substances meant for legitimate industrial or agricultural purposes from being diverted for use in food.
“Our supply chain needs to be regulated to avoid the importation of these chemicals,” she added. The traders also urged the authorities to intensify education and enforcement among vendors and other actors within the food supply chain to ensure that food sold to consumers is safe.
MCE orders investigation
In response to the concerns, the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Ibrahim Fusseini Faila, directed the immediate constitution of a committee to investigate the allegations.
He said the committee would investigate claims of the use of chemicals to artificially ripen fruits and other agricultural produce sold within the municipality.
The MCE assured the traders that the assembly would take the allegations seriously and establish the facts surrounding the alleged practice. He added that anyone found culpable after the investigations would face sanctions.
“We will set up a committee to look into it, and anyone found culpable will be severely dealt with,” he said. The development comes amid growing concerns about food safety and the need for stronger oversight of chemicals entering Ghana’s food production and distribution chain.
The traders are now calling on the FDA and other relevant regulatory agencies to collaborate with the municipal assembly to investigate the allegations and ensure that potentially harmful chemicals are not used on food sold to the public.
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2
