'Our food chain is becoming toxic' - Expert on weak enforcement of safety standards

Engineer and analyst, Michael Kosi Dedey, has warned that Ghana's food chain is becoming increasingly toxic due to weak enforcement by regulatory agencies, saying the country risks spending more on treating diseases than preventing them.

Speaking on ChannelOne TV's Breakfast Daily on July 29, 2026, Dedey said institutions responsible for ensuring food safety, including the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), district assemblies and environmental health authorities, have failed to effectively monitor food production practices.

"Our food chain is becoming toxic, and if we don't fix it, we'll keep building more hospitals instead of preventing disease," he indicated.

Dedey questioned the quality of water used to grow vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, carrots and green peppers, arguing that pollution from illegal mining and poor agricultural practices are contaminating the nation's food supply.

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He also expressed concern over the alleged misuse of herbicides on vegetables, claiming some farmers apply chemicals intended for cocoa farms, which take longer to break down and may leave harmful residues on produce consumed by the public.

According to him, inadequate resources and years of poor leadership may have weakened the FDA's capacity to enforce food safety regulations.

Dedey further stressed that food safety should be viewed as a key public health issue, warning that failure to protect the food chain would increase the burden on Ghana's healthcare system.

He called for better spatial planning, cautioning that the continued conversion of agricultural land into housing estates threatens food production and the country's long-term health and food security.

MRA/VPO

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