Takoradi, Jan. 20 - GNA-Food vendors and other such service providers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis have been told to observe strict personal and environmental hygiene in their operations in order not to put the health of their clients at risk. Mr. George Paintsil, Officer in-charge of the Western and Central regions zone of the Food and Standards Board (FDB) said only workers who have health certificates must be allowed to handle food and drinks at "chop" bars or "bush canteens" and other such facilities. He was addressing a day's workshop on good standards and hygienic practices for about 200 food vendors, including "chop" bar and drinking bar operators, bakers and sellers of prepared food beverages in the Metropolis at Takoradi on Thursday.

It was organised by the FDB in collaboration with the Environmental Health Unit of the Ministry of Health as part of its education programme in connection with the MTN Ghana 2008 tournament, which begins on Sunday.

Mr. Paintsil said the health of the people must be the prime concern of all and food vendors must operate under strict hygienic conditions so that the health of the people including tourists would not be put at risk.

He warned that those who flout the bye-laws on the environment and personal hygiene and proper food handling methods would be severely sanctioned, adding, "this time round, we are not going to be lenient with defaulters".

Mr. Paul Dogbe, Western Regional Environmental Health Officer said last week environmental health personnel were sent round to inspect the premises of food vendors and educate them on their shortcomings. He said the exercise would continue beyond the MTN Ghana 2008 period to ensure high operational and health standards for food vendors. Mr. Dogbe advised the participants to appear neat and also be honest and courteous to soccer fans from other countries who would patronise their services.