Deputy Minister for Health Commissions FDA Mini Lab
The Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Tina Mensah has commissioned a mini-laboratory set up by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to facilitate trade at the Tema Port.
The mini-laboratory, which is fitted with the state-of-the-art equipment, is expected to serve FDA clients at the Port, who are mainly importers, exporters, and freight forwarders.
Addressing stakeholders and guests at the ceremony, Hon. Tina Mensah underlined the government’s commitment to ensuring that the facility is adequately resourced to served the purposes for which it was established.
She said FDA, by the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851, is mandated to regulate the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution and sale of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, household chemicals, tobacco and tobacco products as well as blood and blood products.
Hon. Tina Mensah said reports indicate that some people are still importing unwholesome products into the country, which the FDA must continuously fight to ensure that those products are removed from the market and consumers are protected.
Deputy Minister commended FDA for the project and described the establishment of the laboratory to randomly test regulated products imported into the country as a great move to facilitate the Authority’s efforts of protecting consumers. She cautioned FDA to ensure that the facility does not become a “white elephant”, but serves its purpose.
In her welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of FDA, Mrs Delese Darko, said the FDA has gone a great length to ensure the success of the system, while ultimately protecting public health and safety. This, she said, necessitated the establishment of its first mini-laboratory at the Team Port.
Mrs Darko disclosed that the lab will enable the FDA to conduct analysis at the port for imported regulated products to ensure the that products are safe and meet the standard for public health and safety.
She added that the laboratory will facilitate trade at the port by fast-tracking clearance of products and also bridge the gap in the regulation of quality testing since the laboratory will use quick test methods.
She commended the Vice President, H.E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the government for the introduction of the paperless system and for recognizing the critical role of FDA.
There were solidarity messages from Ministry of Trade and Industry, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, and Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana.
Source: MoH-PR Unit