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Ghanaian Scientist Uses Math to Tackle Food Safety Risks in Online Food Delivery Era
Emmanuel Addai, a Ghanaian Ph.D. researcher specializing in Mathematical and Data-driven Modeling of infectious disease and cyber forensics at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has co-authored a pioneering study that reveals how the rapid growth of online food delivery services is fueling the spread of food-borne illnesses.
In the peer-reviewed article, Addai and his collaborators developed a mathematical model that incorporates both human and insect populations (particularly flies) to simulate how food safety is compromised during doorstep food deliveries.
The model uniquely uses fractional calculus (Caputo operator) to reflect real-world memory effects such as poor hygiene practices and delayed policy responses.
The study shows that:
• Asymptomatic carriers, delivery personnel, and flies are critical transmission vectors.
• Government interventions such as food safety training for restaurant staff and stricter hygiene enforcement can significantly reduce outbreaks without disrupting food delivery services.
• The model was proven stable and accurate under rigorous mathematical conditions and tested using numerical simulations in MATLAB.
By integrating public health, data science, and mathematical modeling, Addai’s work provides a policy-ready framework for managing infectious outbreaks in urban food systems.
This research aligns with global food safety goals and supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, 11, and 12).
For Ghana and beyond, this research underscores the urgent need for better regulation, monitoring, and public health oversight of digital food platforms, particularly in rapidly urbanizing and densely populated cities.
As the online food delivery industry continues to grow, especially in emerging economies such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and India, the lack of standardized food safety protocols and oversight for delivery chains has emerged as a major public health risk.
Emmanuel Addai’s research provides an evidence-based mathematical framework for policymakers to anticipate and manage these risks through optimal interventions.
This work is particularly impactful for developing nations, where informal food vendors and under-regulated delivery systems often operate outside the scope of national health standards.
His model can be adapted to simulate various real-world conditions urban slums, peri-urban hubs, and even cross-border trade routes, allowing government agencies and health departments to simulate outbreak scenarios, prioritize inspection strategies, and develop early-warning systems.
Furthermore, Addai’s contribution supports Ghana’s national priorities under the Ghana Food Safety Policy and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially:
• SDG 3: Good health and well-being,
• SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities,
• SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production.
Ultimately, Emmanuel Addai’s contribution stands as a critical bridge between theoretical science and practical policy application, enabling stakeholders to make data-driven decisions in regulating the fast-growing online food delivery ecosystem.
This makes his research not only nationally important to Ghana’s public health strategy but also internationally recognized as a novel methodology applicable in both low- and high-income settings.
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
