Mr. Kapito addressing the media with some unregistered diapers on his desk
The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has applauded the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) on its preventive measures to stop the circulation of defective and cheap diapers on the market, causing health hazards to babies in the country.
According to CPA, a thorough investigation and research conducted on these diapers on the market shows that these diapers are the ones being rejected during production in their home countries for destruction and also lacks the microbial test.
Addressing the media, Chief Executive Officer of CPA, Kofi Kapito, disclosed that the rejected diapers are being found among trash and it therefore, becomes contaminated even before packaging into plain polythene bags before shipping.
“Where these diapers are kept becomes a factor thereby showing these high results of failure in microbial test, but Ghanaians find their way to buy it cheap and import them into the country for human use,” he stressed.
“Some of these unregistered and sub-standard baby diapers cause severe nappy rash around the anus and genitalia, from mild to severe infections, and if not treated well could be fatal,” he said.
Mr. Kapito explained that the CPA’s decision to carry out an intensive research on the baby diapers on the market is as a result of several complaints from several mothers across the country in relation to skin rashes and discomfort when some diapers are used on their children.
He added that, the CPA’s research on the ‘fake’ and unregistered diapers would be centered in five areas in the country; Greater Accra, Kumasi, Sefwi-Wiawso, Tamale and Sunyani.
Mr. Kapito has thus urged the Office of the Commissioner of CEPS, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and other agencies to intervene and stop the importations of these “fake” and defective diapers entering our borders.
He also called on Ghanaians, especially mothers, to be cautious and immediately stop patronising those products to save their children from further harm.
He assured the FDA of their readiness to partner with them on their nationwide campaign concerning the defective and sub-standard diapers and other essential issues to make the consumer in Ghana safer.
By Janet Odei Amponsah