The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has launched a training workshop aimed at improving food safety event surveillance and response within Ghana’s healthcare framework.
This workshop, held under the leadership of Mrs. Faustina Atupra, Director of the Food Safety & Consumer Education Directorate at FDA, focuses on building the capacity of healthcare personnel to detect, report, and respond to foodborne disease outbreaks effectively.
The workshop builds on the Public Health Act of 2012, which requires healthcare providers to report any suspected foodborne illnesses. By training health workers and FDA staff, the program will improve food safety monitoring across the Greater Accra Region, with a goal to complete training for district teams by the end of November 2024.
In her speech, FDA CEO Dr. Delese A.A. Darko emphasized the importance of a strong food safety response system to protect public health. She noted that cases of food-borne diseases are rising worldwide, and Ghana’s participation in a global effort to track and reduce these diseases is essential.
The FDA is working with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to build a reliable reporting system for better food safety management.
“This training will strengthen our ability to detect and respond to foodborne illnesses,” Dr. Darko said. “Your role is crucial in helping prevent outbreaks and ensure public safety.”
She acknowledged the support of the FAO in drafting and validating a new food safety event surveillance manual, which will be instrumental in future training programs.
This initiative is a step forward for food safety in Ghana, bringing together health workers, FDA staff, and community leaders to create a safer food system.
