Market women who trade in dry fish popularly known as ‘Koobi’ say patronage of the fish has declined over the last few days due to comments by Environment and Technology Minister, Prof. Frimpong Boateng.

“We don’t use formalin or any other poisonous substance to preserve it. What we use is the Ada salt. The claims have affected our business with sharp decline in patronage”, one of the market women told Ghanaweb.

The women who seemed very alarmed at the report in an interview with Ghanaweb claimed Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng’s report is false; an update which has affected their business.

“They just want our source of livelihood to be cut off with their claims, and they are succeeding. What we use is salt but not formalin as they are claiming”, another market seller complained to Ghanaweb.

The sellers, however, have threatened to threatened to stage a naked demonstration if “false” reports that the fish is preserved with a cancer-causing substance, formalin are not stopped.

Formalin, which is a chemical used to prevent dead bodies from decomposing, is allegedly being used by the traders to preserve the fish; thus making it stiff, have a rubbery feel, clear eyes, red gills and take away its odour as well as drive away flies.

The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, who made this known has cautioned those involved in the act to desist from it since it was dangerous to human health.