Ghana launches strategic plan to reduce heavy metals in food
Ghana has launched a five-year National Strategic Plan for Heavy Metals Reduction in Food (2026–2030) aimed at reducing exposure to harmful contaminants and strengthening food safety across the country.
Ghana has unveiled a comprehensive five-year National Strategic Plan aimed at reducing heavy metal contamination in food, covering the period from 2026 to 2030. The initiative seeks to mitigate the risks posed by contaminants such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, which can infiltrate the food system via environmental pollution, agricultural methods, food processing, and packaging.
Children and expectant mothers are especially susceptible to the adverse effects of these toxins. At the plan's launch, Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, emphasized the importance of food safety as a cornerstone for national advancement. She highlighted that ensuring access to healthier food would safeguard public health, enhance consumer trust, bolster the food sector, and elevate the competitiveness of Ghanaian products both locally and internationally.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah elaborated on the plan's objectives, which encompass strengthening regulatory measures, surveillance systems, laboratory capabilities, industry adherence, research endeavors, and public awareness regarding heavy-metal contamination. She underscored the necessity of efficient coordination and accountability among the entities responsible for food safety to ensure the plan's success.
The plan's development involved substantial input from various stakeholders, including UNICEF, which provided technical and financial assistance during its formulation. Roderick Daddey-Adjei, Deputy Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), disclosed that the FDA, in collaboration with UNICEF, had conducted research on heavy-metal pollution in selected food items, laying the groundwork for targeted actions under the new strategy.
The five-year plan is anticipated to bolster Ghana's capability to identify, monitor, and manage heavy metals throughout the food chain, while fostering greater collaboration among the agencies involved in food safety. The launch convened representatives from multiple ministries, regulatory bodies, academic institutions, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and development partners.
These stakeholders are poised to play a pivotal role in the execution of the plan and the promotion of safer food practices nationwide.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
