The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), with the support of the Ghana Police Service and National Security, has stormed Makola Market in Accra to seize cigarette-shaped candy being sold at the Makola Market in Accra.
Reports suggest traders involved in the sale of cigarette-shaped toffees were also picked up.
The development follows complaints and social media posts raising concerns about the sale of the products on the Ghanaian market.
The FDA, in a Facebook post on Saturday, August 29, revealed that the products were seized during the operation.
They further disclosed that one suspect was arrested in connection with their sale.
According to the FDA, the depiction and advertising of tobacco and tobacco-related products are prohibited under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2247).
They further disclosed that regulations prohibit the advertisement and depiction of tobacco and related products in the media and at points of sale.
The FDA highlighted that the enforcement action forms part of its efforts to ensure that regulated products available on the Ghanaian market are safe for the general public.
Some netizens reacting to the development stated, “Ghanaians and emotional blackmail, “I’m your mother, tell us something” didn’t have the common sense to say I’m not going to sell this because it’ll encourage kids to smoke. We’re our own enemies, and as for @fdaghana, I don’t know why they get paid at all”.
One X user added, “It doesn’t make sense to me. They are just traders who know little or have no idea about food safety and health. The question is, how did it get into the country? Whose responsibility is it to prevent it from getting into the country? Find the root cause and clear it, not like dis”.
“I see people in the comments asking why they are being arrested. Are we serious at all?
If our leaders have failed us, that doesn’t mean we, as citizens, should lose our common sense.
Why would you sell these things to minors?
Are we okay?”, a netizen added.
A netizen added, “Good move.
After this, get to the bottom by looking at the main importers of this product into our country.
We must protect our children”.
One X user quizzed, “What about how it got into the country?? Which company imported it? @fdaghana didn’t you approve it??? If not how did it skip you??? And you owe the public an apology for letting such an item be on the market in the first place.. Ban the product completely and seize them”.
“Shame on these women.
They flood churches on Sunday and pray all week long against a supposed demon and waywardness, but are willing to do everything for their own selfish gains. They’re the reason for the filth in Accra and congestion on walkways. Greedy lot”, an X user added.
Watch the video below:
The FDA with support from the Ghana police and National Security has carried out an enforcement exercise at the Makola market following complaints and social media posts concerning a cigarette-shaped candy on sale on the Ghanaian market. pic.twitter.com/ZM2kEA4XVs
— FDAGhana (@fdaghana) August 29, 2026
Officials from the FDA have stormed the Makola Market to arrest traders found selling the viral cigarette-themed toffees.
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) August 29, 2026
[🎥: AdomTV] pic.twitter.com/Z5BaOmqAwz
🇬🇭 The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has stormed Makola Market in Accra to arrest traders reportedly involved in the sale of cigarette-shaped toffees. pic.twitter.com/MLWH7Jj8IT
— we love ghana (@weloveghana042) August 29, 2026
@ghnow_ Ralph proudly describes himself as a “fine junky.” #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Basem khaled متخصص بشره
