TIG Post

Tag: hand sanitizer

  • Sanitizer, liquid and washing soaps: Otumfuo’s daughter making it big in the detergent-production industry

    Sanitizer, liquid and washing soaps: Otumfuo’s daughter making it big in the detergent-production industry

    The private life of one of Ghana’s highly esteemed monarchs, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has traditionally been shrouded in secrecy, particularly concerning the number of children he has with his wife, Lady Julia Osei Tutu.

    However, a recent emergence of a video on social media has brought one of the King’s children into the public eye.

    Dr. Caryn Agyeman Prempeh, affectionately known as Ohemaa, has surfaced as an entrepreneur in the detergent-production business.

    A Biomedical Science graduate from the University College of London and a medical degree holder from the School of Medical Science at KNUST in Kumasi, she is the proud owner and CEO of Ohemaa Detergents.

    Despite her royal lineage, Dr. Caryn Prempeh has forged her own path in the detergent-producing industry.

    In 2020, amidst the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, she transformed her skills into entrepreneurship, creating sought-after detergent products. Her product line includes alcohol-based sanitizer, liquid and washing soaps, and baby detergents, all FDA-approved.

    Dr. Caryn Prempeh’s products are uniquely designed for all skin types, and her social media presence reflects her distinctive marketing style, incorporating music and dance in carefully crafted videos for her customers.

    In interviews, Dr. Caryn Agyeman Prempeh attributes her passion for business to her late grandmother, Ohemaa Afia Kobe Serwaa Ampem II, after whom she was named. She acknowledges the influence of her family matriarchs, particularly her aunt and grandmother, who instilled a sense of responsibility and care in her from an early age.

    Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Dr. Caryn Prempeh has worked as a resident medical officer at Claron Health International, as well as at 37 Military and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals. She is also the founder of the non-profit organization ‘CERVIVA,’ dedicated to raising awareness and educating women on cervical cancer.

  • Korle Bu begins local production of sanitisers after woman comes out about dying nephew

    The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has commenced processes to facilitate the local production of hand sanitizers for health facilities in Ghana.

    Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the move is geared towards helping the fight against COVID-19 and curbing further spread of the disease.

    This comes after a woman identified as Rev. Dr. Nana Yaa Owusu-Prempeh shared how the failure of the hospital to treat her young nephew’s case with emergency resulted in his death.

    While making the revelation, she mentioned among other things, that the emergency ward of the hospital, where her nephew was rushed to after suffering a fall in the bathroom, did not have any sanitisers at the time of their arrival.

    Sharing her ordeal in a viral video, she said; “We get there, first thing, I want sanitisers for my hands, and there are no sanitisers at the emergency room at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital.”

    Meanwhile, the production of sanitisers, according to the UNDP, falls in line with the programme’s multi-pronged approach to support the national COVID-19 response by promoting effective health care waste management.

    “This ranges from monitoring and enforcement of best practices, training of frontline workers, provision of reference manuals and logistics (PPEs and consumables) for health care waste management, to reduce risks and infections,” a statement released by them read.

    Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Daniel Asare, reacting to the move, thanked UNDP for responding to the call by the President, His Excellency Nana Akuffo-Addo, on all stakeholders to support local innovations.

    “For us in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, this partnership is a demonstration of the capacity that exists locally in harnessing innovations to accelerate development. We thank UNDP for believing in our capability.” He said.

    Through the intervention, UNDP has also donated some 11,150 litres of hand sanitizers (5,000 pieces of 230ml bottles and 2,000 pieces of 5 litres refill bottles, with 162 dispensers) to the Ministry of Health to support 21 key facilities playing leading roles in the testing and management of COVID-19 cases across the country.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 48% of Zimbabwe’s local sanitizers fail standards tests

    Recent laboratory tests have shown that 48 percent of hand sanitisers and face masks produced locally have failed to meet the mandatory health standards and Government is now working with the manufacturers to improve the quality of the products, a Cabinet minister has said.

    Since the gazetting of Statutory Instrument (SI) 92 of 2020, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and Bureau de Veritas were mandated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to conduct conformity assessment procedures to attest compliance through laboratory testing and certification of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    The SI in question, sets the standards required for the manufacture, sale and disposal of apparel, materials and equipment intended to be worn or used as protection against any formidable infectious disease by different categories of persons in their interaction with the public.

    Statistics gathered by The Herald revealed that 24 out of 52 companies whose sanitizer samples were tested failed to meet the set standard.

    Eleven companies passed the test while eight others conditionally passed but need to improve on labelling.

    Of the 35 companies manufacturing general face masks, 17 were below the mandatory standards.

    Eighteen companies’ products were up to standard but 15 of them required improvement on labelling.

    Only one company had its gowns and caps tested and the products were up to standard.

    Two companies whose face shields were tested for compliance passed the test while another company that produces face screens also succeeded.

    Industry and Commerce Minister Sekai Nzenza said a number of companies failed the test and Government was now working with them to improve on quality.

    “A number of companies have not met the standards and quality. We are working with the companies that have failed tests and already we have recorded positive improvements from them.

    “SAZ is currently working with the companies whose products were non-compliant, which are at various stages of conducting corrective action to ensure that their products meet the prescribed standards after their PPE failed the initial laboratory tests,” she said.

    Minister Nzenza said her ministry was also engaging manufacturers and suppliers of PPEs to ensure the prices are affordable.

    “As Ministry of Industry and Commerce, we have the mandate to implement standards and quality in order to ensure the health and safety of the people.

    “At the same time, we work with the Consumer Protection Council to monitor the cost of PPEs and sanitizers,” she said.

    Minister Nzenza has set up a taskforce to monitor and ensure compliance with the set standards.

    The team comprises representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Attorney General’s office, Police Anti-counterfeit & Anti-smuggling unit and SAZ.

    The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, working with key stakeholders like Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and SAZ has embarked on awareness campaigns on the mandatory standards for PPE and sanitizers.

    This is to ensure that the implications are well known to the manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, shipping agents, law enforcement agencies and consumers alike.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Price of hand sanitizers drop following boost in local production

    Prices of hand sanitizers have come down drastically in the Kumasi metropolis, following a boost in production by local companies and institutions.

    Currently, almost all local alcoholic beverage distillery companies in Kumasi as well as institutions such as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi Technical University and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), are producing hand sanitizers.

    This mass production seems to have flooded the local market, forcing the prices of personal hygiene and protective medical disinfectant, down to the reach of the majority of the people.

    A survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Business Desk in Kumasi to sample prices of hand sanitizers, barely forty (40) days after Ghana recorded its first two cases of coronavirus, saw a drastic reduction in prices of the product.

    A medium-size standard hand sanitizer produced per the required standards of the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Ghana Standard Authority (GSA), is now selling between GH¢10.00 – GH¢15.00, about half the price, when the product gained instant prominence, following the recording of the first COVID-19 case in the country.

    The small sizes could also be purchased for GH¢7.00 or GH¢8.00.

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has, however, cautioned the public against the purchase and use of fake and unapproved hand sanitizers.

    The GNA gathered that a standard hand sanitizer must have an ethanol content of about 65 percent, to be able to kill harmful bacteria.

    Dr. Ernest Kwarko, a Technical Member of the Kumasi Metropolitan Emergency Health Committee, the body mandated to coordinate the campaign against COVID-19, told the GNA in an interview that, the use of hand sanitizers, face masks and other personal protective items should not be compromised at this critical time.

    Ghana has over the last one month, recorded more than one thousand (1,000) confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths.

    Dr. Kwarko advised the public to make the use of protective items and personal hygiene such as regular washing of hands under running water, a regular feature in their daily lives to help prevent infections.

    They should also adhere to all health guidelines and protocols, such as social distancing instituted by the government for their safety.

    Source: GNA

  • FDA presents list of approved hand sanitizers

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), is urging the public to patronize only hand sanitizers approved by the Authority.

    In view of this, the FDA has presented a list of registered sanitizers to prevent the public from patronizing unregistered and substandard ones.

    The approved hand sanitizers include AFRICAHAND SANITIZER (Ethanol 70%), 2BD HAND SANITIZER (Ethanol 80%), 360 GERMI KLEAN HAND SANITIZER (70% Isopropyl Alcohol), 360 NATURALS HAND SANITIZER GEL (70% Isopropyl Alcohol) and AABL HAND SANITIZER GEL (Ethanol 70%).

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Mrs Delese Darko.

    According to the statement, the move is to promote the use of effective hand sanitizers and help fight against the spread of the Coronavirus in Ghana.

    The FDA states that it is a criminal offence to offer for sale unregistered or substandard hand sanitizers to consumers.

    Attached below is the full list of the FDA approved hand sanitizers.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • FDA monitors hand sanitizers on the market

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has begun monitoring all hand sanitizers on the markets in the Eastern Region to ensure that they were alcohol based and met the required quality and quantity.

    According to Mr Samuel Kwakye, Eastern Regional Director of FDA, the exercise was to rid the market of sub-standard produced hand sanitizers that had flooded the market, to ensure the safety of all citizens in this trying times of the COVID-19.

    He explained that the exercise was to encourage people who had taken advantage of the demand for hand sanitizers and were producing for the market to register their products with the FDA as well as to ensure that it contained the 70 per cent alcohol required.

    He indicated that studies had shown that hand sanitizers with alcohol levels below 60 per cent were not effective in any way and expressed the hope that by the end of the exercise all sanitizers on the market would have met the 70 per cent alcohol content.

    Meanwhile, Dr Hectoria Awekeya, a medical practitioner at the Eastern Regional Hospital, has urged the public not to buy any hand sanitizer with alcohol content less than the 70 per cent because it was not effective against the coronavirus.

    She said it was the alcohol that had the potency to kill the virus on the hands coupled with the rubbing and therefore advised people to take the handwashing under running water very seriously.

    Lately, all sorts of hand sanitizers have hit the market due to demand in the face of the coronavirus, some do not have any label indicating the ingredients, the few that have labels just show the names and telephone numbers of the manufacturers only.

    Source: GNA

  • FDA fast tracks registration of sanitizers to deal with shortage

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has said it is fast tracking the registration of hand sanitizers in order to deal with the shortage on the market in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.

    The FDA also assured that it has increased its surveillance across the country to ensure fake sanitizers are not released onto the market to endanger the lives of Ghanaians.

    A statement signed by Mrs Delese A A Darko, the CEO of the FDA on Wednesday, March 18 said: ”Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of products used in the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus are cautioned against taking advantage of the prevailing situation and offering sale substandard products (hand sanitizers, face masks and other products used in the prevention)

    “The general public must ensure that all hand sanitizers purchased are duly registered by the FDA and have not expired.

    “The FDA is also facilitating the registration of more hand sanitizers with a fast track process to mitigate the shortage on the market.”

    The statement added: “In order to safeguard utmost protection of the general public, the Authority has increased its market surveillance countrywide to ensure compliance.”

    Ghana has recorded seven cases of the coronavirus outbreak.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Ensure sanitizers are duly registered before purchase FDA

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has asked the Ghanaian public to be cautious when buying hand sanitizers in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.

    The FDA said although it has increased its surveillance across the country to ensure fake sanitizers are not released onto the market to endanger the lives of Ghanaians, the public must also be cautious when making a purchase.

    A statement signed by Mrs Delese A A Darko, the CEO of the FDA on Wednesday, March 18 said: ”Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of products used in the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus are cautioned against taking advantage of the prevailing situation and offering sale substandard products (hand sanitizers, face masks and other products used in the prevention)

    “The general public must ensure that all hand sanitizers purchased are duly registered by the FDA and have not expired.

    “The FDA is also facilitating the registration of more hand sanitizers with a fast track process to mitigate the shortage on the market.”

    The statement added: “In order to safeguard utmost protection of the general public, the Authority has increased its market surveillance country wide to ensure compliance.”

    Ghana has recorded seven cases of the coronavirus outbreak.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Santol Energy distributes free hand sanitisers, reduces fuel prices to ¢4.9

    Santol Energy has announced what appears to be a double bonanza for motorists with the distribution of freehand sanitizers to all its customers and a reduction in prices of products at all fuel stations across the country.

    A litre of petrol is now selling at 4.9 cedis per litre, down from 5.25 a litre, one of the lowest in the market, CEO of the Company Alhaji Fareed Amin Yakubu has confirmed.

    “The free sanitizers are part of efforts by Santol to help in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus pandemic and to reduce the hoarding and racketeering of the sanitizers.

    “As for the reduction in the prices of fuel, it has always been our delight to provide our cherished customers with the lowest and most competitive prices on the market while still maintaining the product quality,” CEO of Santol Energy Alhaji Fareed said ahead of the grand opening of a brand new fuel station at Gomoa Mpata in the Central Region.

    Grand Opening

    The new station which is located close to the Apostle Safo junction in the Central Region is part of the plans by management to expand across every nook and cranny in the country and to provide motorists with superior services.

    The new station, as well as the existing ones, is set to provide ‘clean fuel and friendly service’ to its customers under hygienic conditions with safety protocols against the coronavirus pandemic, Alhaji Fareed said.

    “Drivers, passengers and their customers can be assured of good hand-washing practices with soap under running water. Drivers on a long-distance journey are to anticipate getting a promo food pack whilst those with long trailers and buses will get their trucks washed for free as drivers take a nap before they continue their long journey,” he added.

    Santol Energy which is one of the burgeoning Oil companies in the downstream sector has been meticulous in its service delivery with strict adherence to safety protocols outlined by the regulator.

    It only recently received the ISO certification which is a testimony of the company’s reliability for business, productiveness and consumer satisfaction.

    Source: Santol Energy

  • No hand sanitizer, no trotro – GPRTU tells passengers

    The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has served notice that they will from next week prevent passengers without hand sanitizers from boarding their buses.

    According to the North Darkuman branch of the GPRTU, they have started disinfecting the buses and every bus that will be on a scale from today will be disinfected.

    Branch secretary of the North Dakuman GPRTU, William Owereku said passengers are from next week encouraged to come with their hand sanitizers.

    “We are disinfecting the buses, the seats where passengers usually hold and everywhere. Anytime a bus is on a scale to load they have already been disinfected, we are also advising the passengers to come with their hand sanitizers, if from next week you don’t have we will not allow you to board our bus. These are some initial measures being taking..”

    There have been many concerns after the President yesterday banned public gatherings for four weeks, among some of the concerns is how people will protect themselves in commercial vehicles.

    These commercial vehicles have turned out to be the most common means of transportation in the country.

    Former government officials ready to help fight Covid-19 – Mahama

    Former President and flagbearer for the NDC, John Mahama said former appointees during his tenure are ready to help the government in its fight to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

    Speaking on the Covid-19 outbreak and the confirmed cases in Ghana, John Mahama said appointees of his administration who assisted in the country’s readiness effort during the ebola crisis will be available to assist if being called upon.

    “Former appointees who assisted in our readiness effort during the ebola crisis will assist the government in any way they can if requested to do so..”

    In a Facebook address, John Mahama also called on ECOWAS and the UN to put in place enforceable protocols in dealing with the pandemic.

    Source: primenewsghana.com