On July 13, 2025, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) marked this year’s Food Safety Day with a durbar at the Wa Central Market. The event aimed to highlight the need for both traders and consumers to prioritise food safety above all else.
The FDA also reached out to the students and staff of the Wa Technical Institute, emphasising the importance of safe food handling and its role in leading to healthier lives. This initiative serves as a reminder that ensuring food safety goes beyond the market; it’s a responsibility shared by everyone involved in the food value chain.
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A Call for Safe Food Practices
During the event, FDA’s Head of Safety Coordination and Consumer Education, Ms. Jocelyn Adeline Egyakwa Amusah, urged all players in the food industry—producers, transporters, sellers, and consumers—to play their part in making sure food is safe. She explained that food safety is a collective responsibility, emphasising that “Food safety is everybody’s business.”
She also reminded traders to sell food items on raised platforms to avoid contamination. She encouraged consumers to be mindful of the quality of food they purchase, stating, “If it is not safe, then it is not food.”
Science-Based Safety Practices
The theme of the event, “Food Safety: Science in Action,” was explained by Ms. Amusah, who emphasised the scientific principles behind food safety. “Everything we do with our food is based on science; therefore, let us practice these things well to ensure our food is safe,” she remarked. This sentiment was echoed by Mr. Ishmael Albert Viala, Finance Assistant at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). He noted the FAO’s commitment to reducing hunger and improving food security, emphasising that safe food is essential for human growth and development.
Local Authorities Support Food Safety
Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwana, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, highlighted the long-term benefits of safe food handling for public health. He emphasised, “Our health is our future, everything depends on how we handle our foodstuff.” The local authorities expressed their gratitude for the FDA’s efforts to organise such events, reinforcing the need for continuous education on food safety.
Mr. Kelvin Dafaari Sunkpal, the Upper West Regional Head of the FDA, also called upon traders to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the food they sell. He reminded the public that both the actions and inactions of traders could affect the safety of the food they sell. He reaffirmed the FDA’s commitment to ensuring that food consumed by the public remains safe and wholesome.
Collaboration for a Safer Future
Representatives from the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department, as well as other stakeholders, also attended the Food Safety Day event. Their participation underscored the collective effort needed to enhance food safety practices in the region. The event served as a crucial platform for reinforcing the message of food safety, ensuring that both traders and consumers understand their roles in creating a healthier society.
The celebration of Food Safety Day in Wa marks a vital step in educating the public and ensuring that food safety is a shared responsibility—one that requires action at every stage of food production, transportation, and consumption.
