Consumers in Ghana are expected to receive stronger protection from food-related health risks as the Food and Drugs Authority reviews the country’s Food Safety Emergency Response Plan.
The review is intended to improve how state institutions identify, coordinate and respond to emergencies involving unsafe or contaminated food across the country.
The FDA announced the exercise during a three-day stakeholder workshop which began on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
The revised framework will cover the entire food chain, from post-harvest handling and storage to transportation, distribution and consumption.
Agencies to Coordinate Food Emergency Response
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the FDA in charge of the Food Division, Roderick Daddey-Adjei, said the plan would provide a coordinated structure for institutions responsible for different aspects of food safety.
Agencies expected to work under the framework include the Environmental Protection Agency, Fisheries Commission and other institutions whose mandates relate to food production, environmental health and consumer protection.
Mr Daddey-Adjei explained that food safety emergencies can affect several sectors at the same time, making collaboration among regulatory and response agencies essential.
The revised plan is therefore expected to clarify the responsibilities of each institution and improve the exchange of information during food-related emergencies.
Entire Food Chain Covered
The Food Safety Emergency Response Plan is designed to address risks at every stage before food reaches the consumer.
At the post-harvest stage, poor handling practices can expose food products to contamination or deterioration.
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Improper storage may also compromise food quality, particularly where temperature, hygiene or pest-control requirements are not observed.
Food can further become unsafe during transportation if it is carried under unhygienic conditions or exposed to contaminants.
The framework will also guide responses to concerns detected at markets, retail outlets, food service establishments and the point of consumption.
By covering the entire food chain, the FDA hopes potential risks can be identified and managed before they cause widespread harm.
Public Encouraged to Report Concerns
Mr Daddey-Adjei urged members of the public to report suspected food safety violations to the FDA or any of the institutions working under the response framework.
Consumers may encounter concerns involving expired products, unhygienic food handling, unsafe storage, contamination or other practices that could threaten public health.
The FDA says early reporting can help authorities investigate suspected problems and take action before more consumers are exposed.
The Authority is therefore seeking stronger public cooperation as part of efforts to improve food safety surveillance across the country.
Emergency Measures to Protect Consumers
Senior FDA Regulatory Officer Rita Asante said the Authority would ensure that the necessary emergency measures were implemented whenever a food safety threat was identified.
She stressed that consumer protection remained central to the review of the response plan.
The framework is expected to guide how institutions assess reported incidents, communicate risks to the public and coordinate interventions.
It will also provide standard procedures to prevent agencies from responding separately or duplicating one another’s work during emergencies.
Workshop Examines Existing Gaps
The three-day workshop is expected to help stakeholders examine weaknesses in the current response plan and propose measures to improve its effectiveness.
Participants will assess whether the existing framework adequately addresses emerging food safety risks and whether the institutions involved have clearly defined responsibilities.
The review is also expected to consider how information should be shared among agencies and how the public should be informed during a food-related emergency.
The FDA believes input from different regulatory and technical institutions will help produce a practical framework capable of responding to emergencies across multiple sectors.
Shared Responsibility for Food Safety
The Authority maintains that protecting consumers from unsafe food requires the cooperation of regulators, farmers, processors, transporters, traders, food vendors and the public.
Businesses operating along the food chain are expected to follow approved safety and hygiene standards, while state institutions must monitor compliance and respond to violations.
Consumers also have a role in checking food products, observing hygiene conditions and reporting practices that may place public health at risk.
The FDA says the revised emergency response plan will strengthen Ghana’s preparedness and improve the country’s ability to protect consumers when food-related emergencies occur.
