FDB to set up border posts along Ghana–Cote d’Ivoire border

The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) on Tuesday said it would soon set up border posts at five communities in the Brong-Ahafo Region along the Ghana–Cote d’Ivoire border.

Mr Matthew Nkum, Brong-Ahafo Regional Manager of FDB told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that it was to enable the FDB to effectively monitor the smuggling of goods and other unwholesome products into the country.

He said the FDB had completed feasibility studies at Gonokrom, Sampa, Nkrankwanta, Yaakrom and Atuna for the establishment of the posts by July 2013.

Mr Nkum explained that the FDB was currently in consultation with the traditional rulers of the communities to acquire land and collaborating with the Ghana Immigration Service and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority for the establishment of the posts.

He said the Brong-Ahafo Regional Directorate had already received some air conditioners from the headquarters in Accra and yet to receive computers as well as other logistics and fittings for the establishment of the posts.

Mr Nkum noted that many expired products in the market were smuggled through those unauthorised routes in the region.

He said the FDB had strengthened its market surveillance at Sampa, Atebubu, Techiman, Nkrankwanta, Berekum and Dormaa-Ahenkro to rid the market of expired and other unwholesome products during the Christmas festivities.

Mr Nkum advised the public to always check the expiry date of products on the market, shops and pharmacies before purchasing them and also inform the FDB about expired products for action to be taken.

He expressed appreciation to the media for the intensified public education on the airwaves indicating that the FDB was making significant strides.

Source: GNA