Did you know that every food vendor in Accra according to the AMA Public Health by-law is mandated to have a health certificate that certifies that he or she does not have any communicable diseases and the food prepared and served under healthy conditions?   

Well, the next time you buy your favourite ‘akala and koko’ be sure to ask for a health certificate.

Cholera outbreak in 2014 recorded 17,000 cases with 150 deaths. Most of the cases reported in Accra were prominent in La, Teshie and Osu. It is for this reason that the La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly in collaboration with Global Communities, a non-profit organization, embarked on a training and screening exercise for vendors in the La community.

A Specialist at Global Communities, Emefa Adwoa Baidoo, said 150 vendors are expected to be screened for tuberculosis, typhoid fever, Hepatitis and other communicable diseases to ensure that such diseases are not passed on to the general public.

Madam Dora sells waakye (a popular Ghanaian delicacy) close to the La lorry station. She proudly shows off a tag that certifies that she has the mandate to conduct her business. When asked what she had learnt from the training over the years, she spoke clearly with a cocky smile.

“No gum, no painted nails, cover your hair and keep [it] clean.”

Would you love to have a meal at Madam Dora’s waakye joint?

Perhaps you may sing a different tune.

By: Ayerkie Narnor | 3news.com|Ghana