A shocking discovery by Dr. Kwadwo Owusu Boakye, a chemistry PhD researcher at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST), reveals that heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead may be contaminating Ghanaian rice, raising serious food safety concerns.
Boakye’s field research began in northern mining communities, where tests on hair and nails showed high mercury levels.
But his work went further—analyzing rice from farms in both mining and non-mining areas. Some samples exceeded WHO and FAO safety limits.
“The danger is no longer just the mines; it may already be on our plates,” Boakye warns.
He is now exploring practical solutions using locally available materials—like rice husks and cocoa pods—to remove heavy metals from soil, keeping rice safe for consumption.
Boakye calls for stronger enforcement of fertilizer and pesticide regulations and closer collaboration between farmers and research institutions to protect Ghanaian food.
