News
Meat Singed with car tyres dangerous
A joint study by the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, have revealed alarming presence of cancer-causing substances in meats singed with car tyres.
Singed meats are meats that have been treated with heat to remove hair, shrink the skin, and make it appear clean.
The study revealed that meats singed with car tyres in Ghana contain high levels of harmful chemicals called Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).
These chemicals can increase the risk of cancer.
The study led by Prosper Manu Abdulai from the University of Port Harcourt tested meats singed with fuel sources such as car tyres, firewood, and LPG gas in Ghana’s five largest cities – Kumasi, Accra, Koforidua, Tamale, and Ho.
A statement issued by Dr Daniel Norris Berkoe, University Relations Officer, KNUST, indicated that researchers collected 180 samples of cattle and goat meat, singed using three different fuel types: firewood, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and car tyres.
They found out that meats singed with car tyres had the highest levels of PAHs, especially, a dangerous chemical called Benzoapyrene.
Children and the aged are more at risk from these chemicals.
“We did a health risk assessment, and we realised that kids and adults who take this meat whether signed with firewood or tyre are at serious risk of getting cancer,” the statement revealed.
The study recommended the use of safer methods like LPG for singeing meat, especially at abattoirs and calls for stricter rules to prevent the use of tyres.
This is especially concerning, as the levels of this harmful substance in tyre-singed meats exceeded regulatory limits set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The researchers called for an urgent need to explore and promote alternative singeing methods that minimise PAH formation.
LPG, which demonstrated the lowest PAH levels among the tested fuels, could be recommended as a safer alternative to traditional fuels like firewood and car tyres.
The study advocated stricter regulations regarding the use of car tyres for meat singeing, urging authorities to impose heavy penalties for non-compliance to protect public health and ensure that consumers were not exposed to harmful substances. —GNA
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
eputy Foreign Minister accompanies Veep to Shanghai to champion Global South reform, industrial drive
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a successful working visit to Shanghai, China, from 15th to 19th October 2026, at the invitation of the East China Normal University (ECNU).
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum held on 17th October, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, political party leaders and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted that political independence is only truly the beginning, stating that “winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility.” She called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism and reform of the global financial architecture to end debt traps, ensure fair risk assessments and promote climate policies that respect different national circumstances.
On 18th October, she addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. Warning that training youth without factories creates unemployment, she appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with priority on value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut and timber.
On October 19, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders, who praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit.
Throughout the trip, Mr. Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana’s jobs and transformation agenda.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
