Caleb Qwofi Right
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) has arrested a food vendor named Faustina Naana Eshien at the OA Bus Terminal in Accra for selling unwholesome food for public consumption.
The arrest which was carried out by the Public Health Department on Tuesday, August 2, 2023, follows a Facebook post by Obaa Yaa Bediide on the Trotro Diaries page about the discovery after she purchased from the vendor who admitted the offence and decided to split the GHC 20 cost of the chicken into two citing low patronage.
According to the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Mr. Gilbert Ankrah, the food vendor was apprehended for selling spoiled fried chicken for public consumption and failing to obtain medical health certificate after the news broke on social media about her activities contrary to the AMA bye-law and the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851)Section 100(3) which prohibits a person from selling or offering for sale food that(a) is unwholesome or unfit for human or animal consumption;(c) consists in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed or diseased animal or vegetable substance.
He disclosed that the food vendor would be arraigned before a court for the prosecution to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
He used the opportunity to urge the public to demand a food handler’s certificate from food vendors before patronising their food.
Mr. Ankrah also admonished food vendors in the metropolis to adhere strictly to the five keys to safer food namely “keep clean, separate raw and cooked foods, cook food thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.” and urged those without the food handlers’ certification to get one by visiting the AMA or its sister Assemblies for screening to ensure the safety of the people.
“The AMA organizes health screening on the health status of the food vendors in the metropolis to ensure that they are all tested before they are certified to sell food… We want to urge all food vendors to come for the screening and certification,’’ he stated.
He disclosed that the Public Health officers would conduct regular checks on food vendors to ensure that they met the safety standards in accordance with its bye-laws, and public health act among other regulations.
He reiterated that from production through harvest, processing, storage, and distribution, all the way to preparation and consumption,” we all have a part to play in ensuring that the food we eat is safe, ” and commended the whistle-blower for revealing the ill actions of the food vendor.”
