Pregnant Women In Ghana Are Reportedly Taking Bleaching Pills To Make Their Unborn Babies Fairer

As bizarre, as it is and sounds, it’s been reported that some pregnant women in Ghana ingest bleaching pills to make their babies come out fairer and the  Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has expressed worry over this dangerous act.

“The use of these drugs has gone to an alarming stage; it is ignorance that is making people do so,” the FDA’s Head of Cosmetics and Household Chemicals, Mr. Emmanuel Nkrumah, said at a media sensitization workshop on unapproved bleaching pills and products in Takoradi.

“Anything that you take orally should be food, toothpaste and mouthwash, and not bleaching pills,” he continued.

“It is an offence to handle a bleaching tablet or pill; the FDA has not approved any tablet or pill for that purpose. So, if you possess it, it becomes an offence because it has not been registered.”

He alleged that some pregnant women were taking the bleaching pills with the view to giving birth to light-skinned babies, something that he said could be very dangerous to the foetus.

The FDA’s Western Regional Head, Mr. Abu Somalia, added that the situation is very alarming and that a lot of investigation is being carried out.