To boost hygiene standards and promote public health within Ghana’s bakery industry, Olam Agri and Twentyth Consult in collaboration with the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA and various Municipal Assemblies, has rolled out a national health initiative dubbed “My Healthy Baker.”
The campaign, now underway in Accra, is targeting over 2,500 bakers and bakery workers in the capital as part of a nationwide goal of reaching 7,750 participants.
The program offers free health and breast screening services, covering Hepatitis B, Hemoglobin (HB) levels, Typhoid, Worm infestation, and Breast cancer screening. It also includes intensive education on personal hygiene and food safety practices to ensure that bakers meet both legal and health standards.
Officials of Olam Agri, the lead sponsor through its Grains Business, explained that the initiative is a core part of the company’s broader hygiene and public wellness agenda.
“Many workers of the respective bakeries have never performed a health check” an official release from Olam stated.
“The initiative is a key component of Olam Agri’s comprehensive hygiene agenda, primarily aimed at educating and monitoring hygiene standards and compliance protocols at selected bakeries throughout Ghana. The addition reflects the company’s commitment to public health and wellness, extending its focus beyond the traditional annual breast cancer awareness month in October”. The statement added.
The initiative is also helping bakers acquire food handling certificates, a legal requirement for all food vendors in Ghana but one that many bakery workers struggle to obtain or renew due to limited awareness and accessibility.
“This initiative addresses the legal requirement for food vendors to provide an annual medical health certificate, a mandate that many bakers and their workers are either unaware of or do not fully understand its importance”. The statement added.
The campaign began earlier this year in the Western Region, covering towns like Takoradi and Aboadze, before moving to Greater Accra. It will be replicated in other regions in the coming months.
Health experts conducting the screening noted several cases requiring follow-up care, particularly related to blood pressure and Hepatitis B.
A midwifery officer at Abokobi Health Centre in Accra, Elizabeth Ofosua Danquah emphasized the importance of regular health checks.
“Based on my findings, i have realized that a lot of our women have high BP, and lots of them are going through stress. They don’t have time to rest because of what they are doing. So if we can have a workshop to educate them on stress management, marriage counseling, human relationship, I think it will be of great importance to them’.
Participants were also taken through sessions on best hygiene practices, including hand washing, use of gloves and aprons, and maintaining sanitary bakery environments.
Several bakers lauded the initiative.
A baker at Ashaiman Vaalco flat, Glady’s Odonkor said “the initiative is a good one, sometimes when you work; you need to get insight on the job. I got educated and screened as well. If we are able to adhere to all that was said, it will really help us in our bakery production”.
Another resident at Ashaiman Night Market, Ahmadiya Mamudu said “We have been screened thoroughly; I was screened of BP, and pressure. We are grateful to Olam Agri and their partners for the initiative and I hope they keep remembering us whenever they are coming up with initiatives like this”
As the campaign continues, Olam Agri and Twentyth Consult say the goal is to deliver value to customers through health programs that positively impact the lives within the baking community.
