Ghana’s urban and peri-urban horticulture sector has experienced significant growth, with smallholder farmers playing a pivotal role in this expansion.
These farmers, many cultivating plots of less than an acre, have transformed vacant urban spaces into productive farms, driven by rapid urbanization and a rising demand for fresh vegetables.
In 2023, Ghana non-traditional exports, which include horticultural products, generated approximately $3.9 billion, marking an 11% increase over the previous year. The agricultural sub-sector contributed about $495.8 million to this total (GNA, 2024), with farmers in Accra, Kumasi, and other cities increasingly cultivating high-value crops like lettuce, cabbage, and spring onions to meet the appetites of Ghana expanding middle class.
Yet this agricultural success comes at a hidden cost. Over 70% of urban horticulture farmers rely on contaminated water sources for irrigation, including polluted drains, rivers, and shallow wells near industrial areas.
Studies reveal that 96.7% of lettuce samples from Accra exceed WHO safety limits for E. coli, while heavy metals like lead and cadmium accumulate in crops grown near dumpsites and auto repair shops.
Despite government initiatives like the Peri-Urban Vegetables Value Chain Project (GPVVCP), which promotes safer irrigation, most small-scale farmers lack access to clean water or filtration systems, perpetuating reliance on hazardous sources.
Emerging Threats: Microplastics and Chemical Contaminants
Beyond traditional concerns about pathogens, Ghana urban farms are increasingly threatened by microplastic pollution and chemical contaminants, particularly agrochemicals. Microplastics plastic particles smaller than 5mm are now recognized as pervasive environmental pollutants. Their presence in urban farms primarily stems from wastewater irrigation, atmospheric fallout, and contaminated soil amendments such as sewage sludge and compost.
In Ghana, wastewater from urban drainage systems is commonly used for irrigation, increasing the likelihood of microplastic uptake by crops. Studies have shown that microplastics adhere to soil particles, reducing soil fertility and altering microbial communities essential for plant growth. Plants absorb microplastics through root uptake, facilitated by their small size and ability to infiltrate soil pores.
Microplastics can be translocated to edible plant parts, particularly leafy greens such as lettuce and kale, which are widely consumed in urban areas. Research also suggests that microplastics may act as vectors for other chemical pollutants, including pesticides and heavy metals, further exacerbating contamination risks.
The improper use of agrochemicals in Ghana urban farms poses another significant challenge. A recent study revealed that 60% of kale samples in Kumasi tested positive for banned organochlorine pesticides, highlighting persistent pesticide misuse. Many of these pesticides, such as lindane, have long residual effects in soil and water, leading to bioaccumulation in food crops. Irrigation water from polluted sources also introduces endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) into farming systems.
A Public Health Time Bomb
The increasing contamination of urban farms in Ghana presents a significant public health crisis, as polluted vegetables contribute to foodborne illnesses, heavy metal toxicity, and chronic diseases. Outbreaks of these diseases have been traced to the consumption of contaminated vegetables, particularly in street food dishes like waakye and rice, where raw salads are commonly served. Poor hygiene practices among street food vendors further amplify the risk, as vegetables are often inadequately washed or stored in unsanitary conditions.
In addition to microbial contamination, heavy metal toxicity and pesticide residues pose severe health risks. Industrial pollution has led to the accumulation of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in farming soils, which are then absorbed by crops. Studies show that long-term exposure to these heavy metals can cause neurological disorders, kidney and liver damage, and developmental issues in children (WHO, 2021).
Furthermore, organochlorine pesticides, many of which have been banned due to their high toxicity, are still widely used in urban farms, leading to chronic exposure among consumers. These chemicals have been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive health problems, and an increased risk of cancer.
While food safety concerns affect the general population, certain groups are disproportionately at risk. Low-income communities, who rely on cheap produce from informal markets, are the most affected as they have limited access to safer food alternatives.
Children are also highly vulnerable, as their developing immune and neurological systems make them more susceptible to the harmful effects of heavy metal exposure. Studies have linked lead contamination in vegetables to cognitive impairment and lower IQ scores among school-aged children (WHO, 2021). Street food consumers, particularly in major cities like Accra and Kumasi, face daily exposure to contaminated vegetables due to the popularity of raw salads in local dishes.
Despite the growing health risks, regulatory enforcement remains weak, with less than 10% of urban farms complying with food safety standards. Regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) struggle to monitor urban farms effectively, allowing wastewater irrigation and pesticide misuse to persist. Additionally, many farmers continue to rely on contaminated water sources due to cost constraints and water shortages, while consumer awareness of food safety risks remains low.
The Path Forward
Addressing the growing risks of contamination in Ghana urban farming sector requires a multi-faceted policy approach that enforces stricter water-testing protocols and zoning laws to protect food safety.
The Ghana Urban Agriculture Policy must be reinforced with mandatory water quality assessments to ensure that irrigation sources meet safety standards before use. Routine testing for microbial contaminants, heavy metals, and pesticide residues should be implemented at farm level, with clear regulatory consequences for non-compliance.
This would prevent the widespread use of polluted water from drains, streams, and other unsafe sources, which is currently a major pathway for microplastic and chemical contamination in vegetables. Additionally, zoning regulations must be strictly enforced to prevent farms from being located near industrial sites, landfills, and sewage discharge points, where exposure to hazardous pollutants is high. Relocating farms to designated safe agricultural zones with access to treated water and organic farming inputs can significantly reduce contamination risks.
Furthermore, strengthening farmer education and capacity-building programs is essential to ensuring compliance with these regulations. Many urban farmers lack awareness of the dangers associated with wastewater irrigation and pesticide misuse, and providing training on safer irrigation practices, organic pest control methods, and proper hygiene standards will be crucial in promoting long-term change.
The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), and municipal authorities must collaborate to enhance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring that urban farms adhere to safety standards. Investing in alternative irrigation solutions, such as rainwater harvesting, bio-filtration systems, and affordable water treatment technologies, can also help farmers transition to safer agricultural practices.
Additionally, public awareness campaigns should educate consumers and street food vendors on the risks of contaminated produce, encouraging demand for safer food sources and incentivizing compliance with food safety measures.
By integrating strict regulatory enforcement, zoning reforms, and farmer education, Ghana can significantly mitigate public health risks and promote a more sustainable and safe urban agriculture system.
Prince Ofosuhene Gyimah, PISEP, is a Sustainability and Environmental Practitioner with over six years of experience in Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry. He is a certified Practitioner Member of the Institute of Sustainability Environmental Professionals (ISEP), United Kingdom.
Gyimah has demonstrated expertise in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, particularly in aligning operational activities with ESG frameworks to enhance regulatory compliance and sustainability performance. Gyimah also has profound knowledge in community and stakeholder engagement, corporate social responsibility, grievance management, and social impact assessment and management.
His professional experience reflects a strong commitment to driving responsible environmental stewardship, inclusive social development, and ethical governance within the extractive sector.Email; [email protected]
SOURCEthebftonline.com
