Editorial
Where is the FDA report?
● Ghana Food and Drugs Authority
There was news recently of suspected food poisoning “Yellow Sisi” food joint at Oyibi in the Greater Accra Region, along with some conflicting reports about the number of people who died after eating at their favourite location.
Amid the chaos, we were told the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) had started investigating the incident. It has been nearly three weeks since the unfortunate incident occurred but we are yet to hear from the FDA.
If I am not mistaken, I believe three weeks is long enough for the Authority to inform the public on whatever could have been the cause of the ‘food poisoning’. The report will not only reduce public speculations but will serve as a guide for other food vendors and the general public.
I believe some people, till date, are hesitant in patronising food sold at public places as they do not know where else there could be another “food poisoning.”
Recently, I saw some FDA officials posting stickers at some food joints as a form of “approval” for vendors that it was safe to patronise. But that alone is not enough as a mere sticker does not guarantee overall food safety.
I wish to remind the FDA to speed up investigation into the “Yellow Sisi” incident and come out with clear regulations on what precautions food vendors and the public must take. We are all interested in the findings and they must produce it as quickly as possible.
George Obeng Osei, Oyibi.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
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