Officers from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), backed by the Ghana Police Service and National Security operatives, have carried out a targeted enforcement operation at the Makola market in Accra, leading to the confiscation of several packs of cigarette-shaped candy and the arrest of one suspect.
The swoop followed widespread public complaints and viral social media posts detailing the illegal distribution of confectionery designed to imitate tobacco products, raising serious child safety concerns across the capital.
The sale and display of such items directly contravene national legislation. Under the Public Health Act 2012 (Act 851) and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2016 (L.I. 2247), the media depiction, sale, and advertising of tobacco or products mimicking tobacco at point-of-sale locations remain strictly illegal in Ghana.
During the joint operation, enforcement teams swept through key trading stalls within Makola, seizing large quantities of the offending sweets. Authorities confirmed that the arrested suspect is currently in custody, assisting security forces with ongoing investigations to trace the supply chain.
Reiterating its mandate following the crackdown, the FDA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting public health, assuring consumers that continuous monitoring will be maintained to guarantee that only safe, fully compliant products remain on the Ghanaian market.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
