FDA organizes sensitization workshop for High Court Judges

The Food and Drugs Authority has organized a sensitization workshop for some selected High Court judges in the Greater Accra region.

The workshop was aimed at engaging the Judiciary in discussions to generate healthy ways of fighting the challenges that confront the FDA as far as the regulation of food, herbal medicinal products, cosmetics, household chemicals and other related items is concerned.

Welcoming the delegates at the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of FDA, Mrs. Delese Darko said, the desire of the FDA to see speedy trial of FDA offenses at the court has inspired them to engage with judges.

“We are of the firm believe that speedy trial coupled with imposition of penalties as prescribed by law would act as a deterrent to those unscrupulous persons and serve as notice to persons that would desire to endanger the lives of Ghanaians” she said

According to her, it would be an ideal world if participants within the food and drug industry put the health of consumers above profit.

“It is sad that profits have often been put ahead of health but I am glad to say laws have been passed to check these unscrupulous persons. The laws should be enforced vigorously to make adulteration of foods and medicines a criminal offense” she added.

Mrs. Darko was of the view that criminalizing FDA offenses will help in fighting the many challenges that confront the Authority in its fight against illegal drug peddlers.

On his part, the Board Chairman of the FDA, Dr. Samuel Ohene said the FDA has been looking forward to engage the judicial services in the fight against illegal goods and speedy trial of illegal drugs peddlers

“This forum will explain how the FDA operates and I believe that at the end of this workshop FDA offences will be treated with speed to serve as a deterrence to others” he said

The workshop was held in Accra with over 40 high court judges as participants from the Greater Accra region.