The Public Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service recorded a total of 3,286 cases of cholera between September 2010 and March 2011.
Mr. Matthew Gyang Nkum, Brong-Ahafo Zonal Officer of the Food and
Drugs Board, (FDB) who said this explained that the disease killed 54
people within the same period.
The zonal officer was speaking at a seminar, organised by the
regional zonal office of the board, in Sunyani for caterers,
hoteliers, restaurants and canteen operators in the Sunyani
Municipality on basic food hygiene.
Mr. Nkum said the cases were recorded in 26 districts in the
Central, Eastern, Greater Accra and Upper West regions.
He stated food was an essential commodity needed for good health
and growth but so many life-threatening diseases such as cholera,
dysentery, food poisoning and typhoid could be contracted by consuming
contaminated food.
Mr. Nkum said in view of this, the FDB would embark on a
nationwide exercise to close down restaurants, hotels, canteens as
well as other food service establishments operating without certified
hygiene permits.
The exercise will start from July this year, he said, adding
those who had not obtained the permit would be made to face the full
rigours of the law.
Mr. Nkum reminded: �Any person who sells food prepared, packaged,
conveyed, stored or displayed for sale under unsanitary conditions
commits an offence. �It is illegal to also advertise food without the authorization of the FDB. We have to be cautious and protect consumers because those who buy food do not get the opportunity to taste it before purchase.�
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