A woman who operates a popular food establishment in Alajo has revealed to Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM that she has stopped selling her popular kontomire stew and now offers egg stew as an alternative accompaniment for her yam and other dishes.
This change comes after a surge of customers began complaining of allergic reactions.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the food vendor stated that more than four customers recently reported experiencing an itchy throat and diarrhoea after consuming the kontomire stew.
The vendor, identified as Madam Esi Akoto (a pseudonym), revealed that sales had drastically reduced. She noted that customers were often refusing to purchase the kontomire stew, which was negatively impacting her business.
To address the challenge, she has ceased preparing the kontomire stew and settled on egg stew as a substitute. She told Obaapa Cynthia, an intern with Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, that “some of my customers have started complaining. They have reported that after eating the kontomire they experience itchy throat and diarrhea. About four of my customers have complained about this. This has affected my sales, and because of that, I have decided to prepare egg stew as a substitute.”
Traders Link Food Quality to Galamsey Menace
Reporting also from the Agbogloshie Market, Oboadie indicated that traders at the plantain market have raised similar concerns about the quality of produce.
Agnes Amponsaa, the Queenmother for the traders in the market, used the opportunity to call on authorities to deal with the galamsey (illegal mining) menace.
She argued that the impact is not limited to plantain but affects other farm produce, significantly increasing the cost at the farmgate.
“We are appealing to authorities to address the issues of galamsey. It is having a negative impact on food security. The cost at the farmgate has increased significantly, and if we don’t deal with the problem, it will have a serious impact on our health,” she warned. “Let us not politicise the issue because we may soon import plantain from other countries.”
Another trader, Obaa Jubi Kete, the Queenmother of Bekwai, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Galamsey is a threat to our environment, and we have to deal with it. It has led to several casualties. It is destroying our water bodies and is now affecting us in the markets.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana