The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has suspended the operations of nine sachet water producers in the Western North Region for operating with expired registration licences.
The affected producers are located in the Wiawso Municipality and the Bia West and East Districts.
Western North Regional Director of the FDA, Mr. Albert Ankamah, said the enforcement exercise was carried out under the directive of the Acting CEO to ensure consumer safety and compliance with regulations.
He explained that the crackdown aims to ensure all water, food, and drug producers meet the required standards of hygiene, manufacturing, and storage to protect public health.
“This operation will be extended to all districts in the region. We urge sachet water producers to visit our regional office and register their products to avoid sanctions,” Mr. Ankamah said.
Citing the Public Health Act, he stressed that it is illegal to produce, store, or sell consumable products without proper licensing, and advised producers to begin the registration process immediately.
He also encouraged the public to only purchase FDA-registered products and verify registration where necessary.
To support compliance, Mr. Ankamah highlighted the Progressive Licensing Scheme, an initiative by the FDA in partnership with the Ghana Enterprise Agency, which provides financial and technical support to producers seeking to register their products.
On drug safety, he noted a significant drop in the sale and misuse of Tramadol in the region, attributing the success to ongoing training for over-the-counter medicine sellers and educational campaigns in junior and senior high schools.
Mr. Ankamah added that the FDA will continue to collaborate with the police and the Narcotics Control Authority to combat the sale and use of illicit drugs in the region.
