By: Rebecca Ekpe
The Food and Drugs Authority says it is investigating the case where it had been reported that at least five people have allegedly died after eating a meal of rice and beans, popularly known as waakye, bought from a food joint at Oyibi Bush Canteen Junction in Accra, according to the Daily Graphic.
A Source inside FDA said their attention had been drawn to the mishap and efforts are being made to ascertain the facts.
“FDA is preparing to issue a statement,’’ the source disclosed.
About 40 people were reportedly affected, out of which five, including a pregnant woman and a lotto vendor died, according to reports.
The victims including the waakye seller, popularly known as Yellow Sisi, and some of her family members were rushed to the Valley View Hospital, Oyibi Hospital, Dodowa Hospital and other facilities when they complained of severe stomach-ache after they had eaten the food reportedly last Friday.
The Yellow Sisi Waakye joint is considered to be one of the popular food joints at Oyibi Bush Canteen.
Food joint
When the Daily Graphic team visited the area, it observed that the joint was quiet, and the kiosk locked. Some shops close to the food joint were also closed as it is believed that the shop owners who also patronized the food that day and suffered the side effects, were also said to be receiving treatment at the hospital.
Confirmation
When Daily Graphic followed up at the Valley View Hospital for confirmation, hospital officials confirmed the incident, indicating that a number of patients were rushed to the hospital in bad condition but “as of today, all the patients have been discharged, an official said.
The Valley View Hospital Officials however, according to the Daily Graphic could not provide information as to the number of people who might have been affected, but, only indicated that the data from the hospital had been forwarded to the Kpone Katamanso District Hospital where further investigation was ongoing to ascertain the cause of the problem.