Ghana Disposes Of 71 Tonnes Of Banned Pesticides

Date:04-16-2008

Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), together with Ghana Agricultural Inputs Dealers Association (GADA) will dispose of 71 tonnes of obsolete pesticides. The banned pesticides, mainly Aldrin and Monocrotophos, have been found to contain high levels of toxic chemicals dangerous to human beings and are also a threat to food safety in the country.
The majority of the stocks were discovered during a study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the warehouses of the Ghana Cocoa Board at Anyinam, the Benso Oil Palm Plantation, and the Twifo Oil Palm Plantation.
Clement Eledi, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the studies revealed a tremendous amount of stocks with a negative impact on the country's agriculture. MOFA has undertaken the training of more pesticide inspectors and extension agents, who are mandated and supported with the necessary logistics to strictly enforce pesticide regulations and will be sited in districts and farming areas, said Eledi.