Accra, Ghana – The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has warned food vendors against using plastics in the frying of bofrot, a popular Ghanaian snack, and plantain chips, citing serious public health concerns. The revelation, made public on February 21, 2026, follows disclosures by Florence Kuukyi, Director of Public Health at the AMA, during an interview on Adom FM’s ‘Dwaso Nsem’ on February 20, 2026.
Kuukyi stated that some vendors believe adding plastic while frying imparts a desirable crispiness to both bofrot and plantain chips. Specifically, she explained that vendors often utilize the plastic sachets in which cooking oil is sold, placing the entire sachet into the hot oil instead of emptying the contents. This practice, she emphasized, poses significant risks to consumers.
The AMA’s concerns extend beyond frying methods. Kuukyi similarly revealed that some plantain chip sellers are resorting to dangerous methods to accelerate the ripening process of unripe plantains, including submerging them in septic tanks. The heat generated within the tanks is reportedly used to hasten ripening, a practice deemed highly unsanitary and potentially hazardous.
Kuukyi cautioned that the AMA will prosecute vendors found engaging in these practices, stating, “If we come around and catch you, we will take you on.” Still, she acknowledged a significant obstacle to effective enforcement: a shortage of environmental health officers. “The challenge is that we do not have enough human resources. We need more environmental health officers in the system so we can properly protect society,” she said.
The announcement comes amid ongoing sanitation challenges in Accra. The AMA recently remanded seven individuals for failing to settle a GH¢600 penalty related to open defecation, highlighting the Assembly’s efforts to address public health issues. The current situation with food vendors, however, presents a distinct and potentially widespread risk requiring targeted intervention.
