New GSA study finds high pesticide non-compliance in cabbages
A new study conducted by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has found high levels of pesticide residue non-compliance in cabbages sold at the Agbogbloshie and Madina markets in Accra, raising serious food safety concerns.
The study, carried out in May 2026, revealed that all cabbage samples collected from the two markets failed to meet safety standards for eight detected pesticides, with samples sourced from Adetor, Kumasi, and Tepa exceeding established Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs).
In contrast, the study found relatively better results for okra/okro, with about 67 percent of samples meeting pesticide residue standards. Okra samples, mainly sourced from Odowa, Kumasi, and Atomic (DVLA), were largely compliant.
The pesticides identified as being widely used include Acetamiprid, Triticonazole, Carbendazim, Emamectin benzoate, and Dimethoate. The report noted that while most okra samples met acceptable food safety standards (four out of six samples), two samples from Agbogbloshie Market exceeded permissible limits for Dimethoate and Triticonazole.
The report emphasized that all six cabbage samples exceeded at least one MRL, meaning none met established safety standards, suggesting a higher reliance on pesticide applications in cabbage production compared to okra. This situation was attributed to possible over-application of pesticides, improper mixing, failure to observe pre-harvest intervals, and inadequate farmer knowledge of safe pesticide usage.
Commissioned by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), the study aimed to support efforts in promoting agroecology and sustainable food systems in Ghana. The findings were presented at a stakeholders’ dialogue in Accra on June 26, 2026, to develop actionable policy recommendations for improving food safety and environmental sustainability.
CIKOD’s Director of Programmes, Wilberforce Laate, explained that the study focused on commonly consumed vegetables due to their importance in the Ghanaian diet and was part of efforts to generate evidence on contamination levels and raise public awareness about food safety risks associated with conventional farming practices.
He noted that the GSA analysed 12 vegetable samples—comprising both okra and cabbage—for a wide range of pesticide compounds, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, acaricides, and plant growth regulators, assessing both presence and concentration against MRLs.
Laate said the findings underscore widespread pesticide management challenges and highlight the need for increased farmer education, stronger monitoring systems, and greater investment in agroecological practices. He advised the public to consider establishing backyard gardens to grow essential vegetables as a step toward improving food safety.
Chaka Ozondu, a Food Systems Analyst, warned that prolonged exposure to pesticide-contaminated foods poses health risks including neurological disorders, endocrine disruption, reproductive health issues, and certain cancers. He noted that pesticides can spread through soil, water, and air during application, creating additional environmental and health risks, and that while some pesticides identified are banned in foreign markets, they remain accessible in Ghana, increasing misuse potential.
Ozondu added that excessive pesticide residues can cause skin and eye irritation, nausea, and liver damage, urging consumers to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables with clean water before consumption and encouraging farmers to adopt biopesticides.
Bismark Nortey, Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, stressed the importance of collaboration to achieve food safety, highlighting the role of the Ghana Agroecology Movement in promoting nature-based farming practices rooted in indigenous knowledge systems.
He noted that evidence shows agroecology can be practised on a large scale, with systems, tools, inputs, and personnel available to support its implementation.
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