In a sweeping enforcement operation, Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has seized a significant cache of unregistered and illicit tobacco products from four locations in Accra. The raid comes ahead of this year’s World No Tobacco Day, marked globally on May 31.
The operation, carried out with the support of two police officers, uncovered a staggering assortment of illegal products, ranging from flavoured shisha and nitrous oxide canisters to unregistered vapes and cigars. The raids were conducted across six neighbourhoods: Kwabenya, East Legon, Abeka, Fadama, Tabora, and Achimota.
In total, authorities confiscated 15 brands of illegal shisha flavours, 3 brands of illicit cigarettes, 7 brands of nitrous oxide canisters, 21 brands of unregistered vapes, 10 brands of illegal cigars, and 4 brands of unauthorized tobacco wraps.
Speaking to the press, Jemima Odonkor, Head of the FDA’s Tobacco Products Department, said the seized goods had entered the country through “unapproved routes” and posed serious risks to public health.
“The Authority will apply the necessary legal and regulatory sanctions to those found responsible,” Ms. Odonkor stated. “Our goal is to rid the market of harmful, unregulated products and protect the public, especially the youth, from the dangers of tobacco and related substances.”
She also emphasized the FDA’s growing focus on education and prevention, revealing plans to launch awareness campaigns in schools across the country.
“We will be visiting schools to educate our students on the harmful effects of tobacco products. It’s critical that we reach them early to safeguard them from exposure to these illicit drugs,” she said.
The FDA is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious tobacco-related activities. The crackdown forms part of the Authority’s broader commitment to uphold public health and reduce the availability of unapproved products in the market.
World No Tobacco Day is observed annually to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce consumption.
