In bid to prevent health hazard in the country, Ghanaian Food and Drug Authority in collaboration with other State agencies have warned the general public from consuming various species of fishes washed ashore on some beaches in the nation.
According to a statement signed by Rhoda Appiah from the agency, investigations into the remote cause of the deaths of the sea creatures which showed up in most beaches on Friday 2nd April 2021 has already commenced while it warned the public to desist from consuming the fish in view of the potential risk to health and safety.
“Our Western Regional Office has reported of sighting of dolphins washed ashore on some of the beaches and samples have also been taken for laboratory analysis. In these regions, the Authority has intensified its public education and sensitization on quality parameters and signs of contamination of fish in the fishing communities and fish markets. FDA regional offices along the coastline in the Central and Volta regions have also been alerted and are replicating similar efforts in towns along the coast.”
“In this regard, the general public is cautioned to be guided by the freshness of the eyes and redness of the gills of fish that they seek to purchase. The washed-ashore fish typically show signs of popped out and unclear eyes, dull colourations of gills, bloating around the abdominal areas and/or possible oozing of foul scented fluids.”
“The public is hereby advised to report all suspended cases of possession or selling of these washed-ashore fishes to the FDA or local authorities. The consuming public is also cautioned to be wary of both fresh and recently smoked fish which are being sold at unusually low prices.”
