Commerce Ministry Seizes Over LD$70K Unwholesome Goods in Bong County

Gbanga, Bong County: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has confiscated a large quantity of unwholesome food and non-food items valued at approximately LD$70,000 from several businesses operating in Gbanga, Bong County.

The discovery was made on Monday, April 8, 2026, following a routine inspection by the inspectorate division of the Ministry in key commercial areas of the county.

The confiscated items include soft drinks, mineral water, energy drinks, and cups of paint, among other things. The Ministry said the goods were deemed unfit for consumption due to expiration and unwholesomeness.

During the inspection, Senior Commerce Inspector of Bong County, David Mentuah, stated that the Ministry will take punitive actions against the businesses caught selling unwholesome goods.

Mentuah emphasized that selling unwholesome products to the public poses serious health risks. He added that such acts violate business regulations and will not be taken lightly by the Ministry.

Inspector David Mentuah mentioned that the over LD$70,000 worth of goods will be properly disposed of to prevent environmental pollution.

This incident comes barely two weeks after the inspectorate team in Bong County discovered and disposed of several cartons of frozen fish and chicken from Banjah Branch #17 Frozen Food Enterprise.

The increasing number of such discoveries presents a major challenge to food security in the country, despite strict regulations enforced by local authorities.

Amid mounting concerns, Bong County Commerce Inspector Chief David Mentuah has strongly warned: “This is not just a violation of business regulations; it is a direct threat to public health. If this is not stopped, we risk a wider health crisis in this county.”

He noted that the inspection team has expanded its efforts across all seven electoral districts of Bong County, with over 20 businesses already visited and assessed.

The goal of these inspections, he said, is to enforce compliance, promote safe handling of goods, and ensure all businesses are properly registered.

“We are not only enforcing the law; we are also educating business owners. But compliance must be taken seriously,” he added.

Meanwhile, Inspector Mentuah pointed out that the lack of logistics is a major operational challenge for the local inspection team.

He explained that the absence of motorcycles or vehicles has hindered timely responses to intelligence reports. He called on the government, through the Commerce Ministry, to provide the necessary logistics to improve the team’s effectiveness.

“We are committed to protecting consumers, but the reality is we are using our own resources to conduct these inspections. This is not sustainable,” Mentuah pleaded