The stakeholder engagement aimed to address concerns surrounding the iodisation of salt and ensure that locally produced edible salt meets the required iodine levels to safeguard public health.

The meeting followed an earlier workshop organised on March 31 and April 1, 2026, to equip executives of the various salt-producing groups with the knowledge and skills needed to improve the quality and safety of edible salt. The executives were expected to transfer the knowledge acquired to their respective members to promote compliance with food safety standards.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director of Food Safety and Consumer Education at the FDA, Mrs. Maureen Lartey, explained that producers were not compelled to engage Jenefal Farms and Industries Ltd. or any other third-party company to iodise their salt.

She, however, emphasised that under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), the responsibility for ensuring that salt produced contained the required level of iodine rested with the producer, rather than aggregators or buyers.

Mrs. Lartey cautioned that producers could be held liable if salt transported from their production sites was found not to meet the required iodine fortification standards. She therefore urged the various salt-producing groups in the Ada enclave to resolve their concerns with the licensed company and ensure that their operations complied with the law.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ada West, Hon. Modjifa Tanihu J.J. Mills-Nkrumah, also highlighted the health risks associated with consuming non-iodised salt and the potential consequences for salt exports that fail to meet iodisation standards at their final destinations outside Ghana.

He warned that such failures could have serious implications for the country's reputation, particularly if they attracted the attention of international public health institutions such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Hon. Mills-Nkrumah said it would be unfortunate for such concerns to be traced to the Ada enclave, which is renowned for its salt production. He therefore urged producers to comply with the relevant laws and standards to ensure that salt production remained a source of benefit to the people and the district.