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Displaying food items in sunlight harmful-FDA warns
Retailers of groceries in the country have been advised to desist from exposing canned and bottled food products to the direct sunlight in order to keep the quality of such products intact.
Mr Kofi Essel, Head of Food Industrial Support Services Department (FISSD) of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in an interview with The Spectator, explained that such practices could potentially compromise the safety and quality of the product through the oxidation of some of the constituent chemicals in the product.
He said this, among other phenomena, explained the reason behind the declaration of storage conditions by manufacturers of such food products, including the caution not to expose the product to direct sunlight.
Mr Essel further emphasised the need for all to ensure that the food they ate was wholesome and was in the best of conditions.
He said the FDA, during its regular surveillance in the markets and shops throughout the country, ensured that, such abuses were eliminated.
Mr Essel said it was unfortunate the design of many grocery shops in the country were not done specifically to promote the expected display practices, a situation which compelled retailers to display their wares outside their shops.
He suggested that retailers should, instead, display empty bottles or provide other objects in front of their shops to signify the products on offer, otherwise the shop owners should erect canopies under which their wares would be displayed to attract customers.
Mr Essel said a lot could be done to ameliorate the problem through public education and long-term designs of shops in the country.
He indicated that, plans were underway to meet various stakeholders in the construction industry to discuss current construction designs and requirements for the food industry.
By Raymond Kyekye
The Africa Investment Network has entered a new partnership with 17 Asset Management to expand investment opportunities for Africans in the diaspora.
The two organisations will work together to open more pathways for diaspora investors, provide better data on markets, and connect investors to viable projects across the continent.
The partnership will focus on mapping investment opportunities across countries and sectors, building a Diaspora Pathways Program to guide new investors, and creating a shared research platform that provides market insights, returns benchmarks, regulatory updates and sector outlooks.
The two groups will also develop a trade and deal catalogue to help match businesses with partners.
As part of the collaboration, both institutions will host investment roadshows through the Global Africa Summit series, starting with GAS Accra from December 11 to 12 at the Alisa Hotel.
The event will showcase deals, hold sector briefings and connect investors with government and private sector actors.
Africa Investment Network founder and Chief Executive Jane Reindorf Osei noted that diaspora capital remains one of Africa’s strongest advantages because it is patient, purpose driven and closely linked to local development outcomes.
She explained that the partnership will help direct more diaspora investment into areas where it can make the most impact.
Chairman of 17 Asset Management, John Morris, highlighted that the joint effort will blend strong investment design with Africa Investment Network’s networks and convening power.
He stressed that improved research and compliant market access will give diaspora investors more confidence across different markets.
The two institutions will open their diaspora investment platform in the second quarter of 2026, followed by the launch of a co investment window.
Investment roadshows will also be held in North America, the Caribbean and key African centres next year.
Africa Investment Network and 17 Asset Management invited governments, development finance institutions, family offices, asset managers and other partners to support deal creation, risk sharing and market building initiatives aimed at boosting diaspora participation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu insists that neither President Mahama nor the National Democratic Congress has filed any petition seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her two deputies.
In a one on one Interview with GHone, he explained that the President only forwarded petitions he received, as required by law, and has not initiated any action against the EC leadership.
According to him, the identities and motives of the petitioners remain unknown to government, and the Presidency is not involved in that part of the process.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that while the NDC has openly disagreed with some actions of the Electoral Commission in the past, the party has not submitted any petition asking for the removal of the EC Chair or her deputies.
He noted that comments by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, questioning the EC’s competence, do not amount to a formal petition.
He added that criticism of public officials is normal and does not automatically translate into a request for their removal.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that once a petition is received, the President’s only role is to forward it to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice then decides if the allegations have merit. If they do, a committee is set up to investigate.
He said those named in the petitions will be officially informed by the Chief Justice, not the Presidency.
They will then have the opportunity to appear before the committee, respond to the claims, and provide any evidence in their defence.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu expressed confidence that the process will be fair and will protect the rights of all those involved.
By: Jacob Aggrey
