Koforidua (E/R) Dec 24, GNA – Mr Samuel Kwakye, the Head of Eastern Regional Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has commended workers of the Authority for contributing towards reducing non-conforming products in the market in the region.
He attributed the trend of market non-conforming products in the 33 districts in 2021 to its key strategy of intensifying mass public education in the Region.
He gave the commendation at the festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held at the FDA premises in Koforidua.
Non-conforming products are goods that are not vetted, approved and registered.
Mr Kwakye explained that the strategy was focused on issues concerning food safety, food hygiene and drug safety.
He said the number of registered products, ranging from food across cosmetics and household chemicals like handwash soap and hand sanitiser, had been increased.
The FDA’s implementation of its policy on the Progressive Licensing Scheme last year made it easy for cottage industry and micro businesses to register their products.
The Progressive Licensing Scheme has three stages that seek to support the local food industry to retail their products in major grocery shops and supermarkets in Ghana.
Mr Kwakye reminded the public to be cautious of what they purchase this festive season, saying, “as you consider prices of products, also consider the wholesomeness to prevent ill health.”
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is celebrated by the FDA in all the regions in Ghana to mark the birth of Jesus Christ which falls on 25 December 2021.
Participants at the event were entertained with harmonious Christmas carols and other local songs by the FDA choir interspersed with Bible readings.
A play on the birth of Jesus Christ was performed.
Ms Cynthia Ethel Bondzie, the Administrator at the Eastern Regional Office of FDA, said December was declared by the Ghana Health Service as the month of COVID-19 vaccination.
She urged all and sundry to get vaccinated to limit the spread of the virus in this Christmas holidays, “while we comply with the protocols of sanitising the hands, physical distancing and wearing of nose mask.”
She also urged all to be prayerful and show love to the orphan, the widow and every individual.
Mr David Arhin from the Technical Department of the Regional FDA Office urged Christians to ponder over the reasons why Jesus Christ was born.
“Christ came to seek and save those who are lost, back to the Kingdom of God,” he said.
GNA