The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) will convene a national public forum on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Mensvic Grand Hotel in Accra to deepen public understanding of agrochemical use and its implications for food safety in Ghana. The event will bring together journalists, farmer groups, health professionals, regulators, civil society actors, and the general public.
The forum is being organised in response to growing concerns about the rising and often improper use of agrochemicals in Ghana’s food production systems. While fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides are widely used to improve yields and secure harvests, their excessive or unsafe application has created fears of chemical residues in food sold across markets and consumed in homes nationwide.
Available reports indicate that many farmers apply chemicals without adequate training, disregard pre-harvest intervals, or rely on unapproved and hazardous products. The potential public health risks are worrying, including exposure that could contribute to developmental conditions or long-term illnesses. Environmental concerns are also mounting. Soil degradation, contamination of water bodies, and the loss of beneficial ecosystems threaten the sustainability of agriculture and the wellbeing of rural communities.
Despite the scale and urgency of the issue, media coverage of agrochemicals and food safety has remained limited, often surfacing only after incidents or sensational reports. Many newsrooms lack technical knowledge on chemical use and do not have access to verified data or regular collaboration with regulatory agencies. This has contributed to information gaps and reduced public awareness on a matter that affects food, health, and livelihoods.
The upcoming forum seeks to address these gaps by opening a space for multi-stakeholder dialogue. Participants will explore the risks associated with agrochemical misuse, discuss the responsibilities of regulatory institutions, and examine how journalists can better inform the public through accurate, evidence-based reporting. The event will close with a set of proposed actions to support stronger media advocacy for safer agricultural practices and more informed consumer choices.
Register to participate in the forum here: https://forms.gle/b39aAKrHBmaLoVe88