The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has secured a major legal victory in its ongoing fight to protect public health, following a court ruling that sentenced Nana Agyeman Badu, owner of Ansu Gyeabour Chemical in Chiraa, Bono Region, to 17 years in prison for selling expired medicinal products.
According to an FDA statement dated May 6, 2025, the case stems from a 2022 seizure of expired medical items at Badu’s shop during a joint operation with the Bono Regional Police Command. Following investigations, the matter was forwarded to the police for prosecution.
Delivering judgment on April 29, 2025, the Circuit Court in Sunyani, presided over by His Honour Sylvester Nii Okine Ablorh, found Badu guilty of selling, offering, and exhibiting expired medical products in violation of FDA regulations.
He was sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment with hard labor and fined GH₵ 12,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional two-year prison term.
In its statement, the FDA praised the court’s decision as a victory for public safety and reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on the circulation of expired, unregistered, or substandard medical products.
The Authority also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing strict regulatory compliance and collaborating with stakeholders to rid the market of dangerous products.
Read the full statement below:
PUBLIC RELEASE
FDA/CSD/CPE/PRS/25/005
Court Upholds FDA’s Action to Protect Public Health from Expired Products
Accra: May 06, 2025 – Accra: May 05, 2025 – The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) as part of its mandate and in collaboration with the Bono Regional Police Command seized some expired medical products sometime in 2022 from Nana Agyeman Badu an Over The Counter Medicine Seller located at Chiraa in the Bono Region.
The matter was duly handed over to the Police for prosecution.
On 29th April 2025, the Circuit Court, Sunyani presided over by His Honour, Sylvester Nii Okine Ablorh sentenced the owner, Nana Agyeman Badu for selling, offering for sale, and exhibiting for sale prohibited medical products.
Conviction
Nana Agyeman Badu was found guilty and sentenced to 17 years imprisonment with hard labor in addition to a fine of GHS 12,000.00. Failure to pay the fine would attract an additional 2-year prison term.
The FDA’s Commitment to Regulatory Compliance
The FDA assures the public of its dedication to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products available to the public and reiterates its commitment to safeguarding public health and safety by enforcing strict regulations and collaborating with stakeholders to prevent the sale of unregistered and/or expired FDA-regulated products.
The public is hereby advised that expired medical products are unsafe, as there are chemical changes that may cause harmful side effects or treatment failure.
For further information, contact the FDA as indicated below:
Signed
Chief Executive Officer
Food and Drugs Authority
FKA/KA
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