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Displaying food items in sunlight harmful-FDA warns
Retailers of groceries in the country have been advised to desist from exposing canned and bottled food products to the direct sunlight in order to keep the quality of such products intact.
Mr Kofi Essel, Head of Food Industrial Support Services Department (FISSD) of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in an interview with The Spectator, explained that such practices could potentially compromise the safety and quality of the product through the oxidation of some of the constituent chemicals in the product.
He said this, among other phenomena, explained the reason behind the declaration of storage conditions by manufacturers of such food products, including the caution not to expose the product to direct sunlight.
Mr Essel further emphasised the need for all to ensure that the food they ate was wholesome and was in the best of conditions.
He said the FDA, during its regular surveillance in the markets and shops throughout the country, ensured that, such abuses were eliminated.
Mr Essel said it was unfortunate the design of many grocery shops in the country were not done specifically to promote the expected display practices, a situation which compelled retailers to display their wares outside their shops.
He suggested that retailers should, instead, display empty bottles or provide other objects in front of their shops to signify the products on offer, otherwise the shop owners should erect canopies under which their wares would be displayed to attract customers.
Mr Essel said a lot could be done to ameliorate the problem through public education and long-term designs of shops in the country.
He indicated that, plans were underway to meet various stakeholders in the construction industry to discuss current construction designs and requirements for the food industry.
By Raymond Kyekye
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
