Coronavirus: Cassava starch, 'akpeteshie' packaged and sold as hand sanitizer in Kumasi

Criminals are taking undue advantage of the mad rush for hand sanitizer and are defrauding unsuspecting Ghanaians through various schemes.

In view of the novel coronavirus pandemic, some persons have at the blind side of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) manufactured their version of alcohol based hand sanitizer which they sell to the public at throat-cutting prices.

The modus operandi of such persons is collecting original bottles of hand sanitizer from companies which they clean and mix their own ingredients believed to be cassava starch and locally distilled gin, ‘Akpeteshie’ claiming it is the original contents of the container.

A Kumasi-based Journalist, Barima Kwabena Owusu who blew the cover of these bandits wrote” Someone sold this, starch mixed with alcohol as hand sanitizer to a taxi driver for GHS90… Herhh nipa y? bad saa y? forkin”

Last week, renowned Investigative Journalist, Manasseh Azuri Awuni literally lost his cool over the astronomical hikes in prices of hand sanitizers following the novel coronavirus pandemic cursing those taking undue advantage over the situation.

A mad rush for the product which has been recommended as one of the surest ways of staying safe, led to sales outlets including pharmacies cashing on and selling the product at very high prices.

It is also gathered that many are hoarding and selling the product at throat-cutting prices in some cases at 500% more than the normal price to unsuspecting customers. But the journalist who observed that such a conduct is unpatriotic had some harsh words for them.

Increase the price of the hand sanitizer to whatever amount your indescribable greed dictates to you. But that money will not be with you forever. One day, you’ll be struggling to breathe and there won’t be a helper. You will pay for this wickedness in one way or the other. The kindness that could save your life one day will elude you. Shame on your wicked soul”, he said