Health Ministry calls for stronger measures to tackle lead poisoning

The Ministry of Health has urged for enhanced regulations, public awareness campaigns, and cooperation among essential organizations to curb lead poisoning and shield children from its detrimental impacts. This demand was made during the inauguration of the 2026 National Lead Poisoning Awareness Week, which focused on the theme, “From Detection to Prevention.”

Addressing the call on behalf of the Health Minister, the Ministry’s Chief Director, Mr Desmond Boateng, characterized lead poisoning as a grave yet preventable public health hazard that necessitates coordinated efforts transcending the health sector. He cautioned that exposure to lead could impair children's brain development, cognitive skills, and behavior, as well as induce kidney and cardiovascular issues in adults.

Mr Boateng pinpointed lead-based paints, mining operations, battery recycling, electronic waste, and contaminated consumer goods as prevalent sources of exposure. He emphasized the government's focus on ramping up public education, safeguarding vulnerable populations, bolstering the capabilities of healthcare professionals to identify and address lead exposure, and enforcing regulations to manage the substance at its origins.