The police in Susanso, a Kumasi suburb, arrested an unlicensed herbalist for selling unregistered herbal goods after being directed by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the Ashanti Region.
A combined team made up of representatives from the FDA and the police arrested Alfred Ampomah during an operation in the Kumasi Metropolis to crack down on the actions of dishonest people involved in the selling of unwholesome items.
The operation was directed by Dr. Joe Adu-Manuh, an FDA regulatory officer, and Daniel Geraldo, a regional public relations officer, with assistance from the police. The task team enticed Ampomah to Susuanso using information that he had been making and selling herbal goods at Trade in the Atwima Kwanwoma District.
The suspect was found to be in possession of some of the goods, such as "Power Plant," "Power Borgar," and "Koko Powder," and they were transferred to the Regional Police Command for questioning.
He entered a guilty plea to one count of manufacturing and selling for sale herbal goods without registration after being charged with the crime and being prosecuted at Kumasi Circuit Court Two. He entered a not guilty plea and was granted bail in the amount of GHC50.000.00 with two sureties by the court presided over by Mrs. Priscilla Dapaah.
The hearing in the case was postponed until August 11.
When the defendant was arrested, he admitted to having huge amounts of the items at Trede, according to Police Chief Inspector Timothy Amoako, the prosecutor, who said this in court. The FDA will keep going after persons whose actions seriously endanger the health and safety of the general population, Mr. John Laryea Odai-Tettey, the Ashanti Regional Head of the FDA, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview.
He emphasised that "products that are not registered with the Authority and, for that matter, do not have the marketing authorisation, are not meant to be in commerce."
He warned the people to exercise caution while using any pharmaceutical items, warning that they may be harmful to humans if they were not properly approved for use. "Once you are manufacturing for commercial objectives, the FDA is prepared to help any those who are willing to engage in proper commerce. You are welcome to visit any FDA office to acquire help registering your items; our hands are extended wide, he emphasised.