Editorial
FDA must get to conclusion of plantain chips investigation
Dear Editor,
THE media landscape has been dominated recently by concerns about the way plantain chips are prepared for consumption.
Plantain chips have become a popular snack for Ghanaians and they are patronised by both young and old, although it is very common with the younger generation.
For those that are making a life out of it therefore, one expects them to go about its preparation hygienically, having best practices and standards in mind.
It becomes disturbing therefore if recent claims that those who prepare it for sale use unorthodox ways like the alleged use of polythene or rubber to make it crispier.
A lot of vendors have come out forcefully to reject those allegations but, like the popular saying goes, “there is no smoke without fire.”
As a regular consumer, I don’t think those that made the allegation said it out of nothing. Personally, I have interacted with a number of people, some of who confirmed that it was done.
I would therefore support the intended investigation to be carried out by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to make sure only good and healthy plantain chips remain on the market.
Naa Koshie, Achimota
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
