The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, in the Western Regional office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has suspended the operations of two sachet water production companies.
The affected companies, located in Takoradi, were found to be operating under unsanitary conditions, including the failure to regularly replace water filters. The violations were discovered during an FDA surveillance exercise aimed at identifying and addressing factors fueling the region’s cholera crisis.
The outbreak has claimed 16 lives so far, with health authorities managing 103 confirmed cases.
Dr. Martin Kusi, Western Regional Director of the FDA, reiterated the Authority’s dedication to ensuring public safety. As part of intensified measures, the FDA has given 86 sachet water producers in the region a two-week ultimatum to submit their water sources for testing at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
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“We are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against cholera,” Dr. Kusi stated. “Producers across the coastal belt—Ahanta West, Shama, Ekumfi, and Sekondi-Takoradi—must ensure their water sources are safe. We will shut down any producer whose water is found to contain faecal matter.”
Dr. Kusi also advised food vendors to place Veronica buckets at their premises to encourage regular handwashing.
As the Christmas season approaches, he urged the public to inspect food products for expiry dates, avoid rusty cans, and handle food and beverages with care to prevent food poisoning.
