FDA VOLTA REGIONAL OFFICE CELEBRATES BEST PERFORMING AWARD

The Regional Head of Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Volta Region office, Mr. Gorden Akurugu has commended management and staff of the office for their commitment and dedication which led to the office being awarded the Best Performing outfit for the year 2020.

In briefing the media on Wednesday 20^th January, 2021, Mr. Akurugu mentioned that the reason the office was adjudged best performing office for the FDA in the year 2020 was due to the excellence the office portrayed in discharging its duties.

According to him, the award scheme was instituted by the Chief Executive officer (CEO) of the Authority, Mrs. Delese A.A. Darko in 2019 in recognition of the distinguished performances by individuals, departments and regional offices.

Amidst the adjudged award, the Regional Head also bagged the Best Regional Head award, the administrator, Ms. Patience Nutakor was awarded Ms. Congeniality of the year. Mr. Charles Adjei-Mensah, Head of the Volta Region office Enforcement Unit was bestowed the Best Star Performer and the Best Janitorial Service award was won by Madam Betty Agyei.

The FDA Volta Regional office was established in 2004 to monitor and regulate the activities of both manufacturers and retailers in respect to the mandates of the Authority in the Volta Region. Mr. Gorden Akurugu who has managed the Volta Regional office from May 2018 has been very instrumental in assisting the FDA in executing its mandate as a regulator to ensure public health and safety.

He noted that the Region constitutes the largest point of entry into the country at the Aflao, Kpoglu, Akanu, Nyive, Shia and Batume borders, and therefore increased vigilance at the borders by the Authority has significantly reduced the influx of drugs smuggling into the country leading to a number of arrests being made at the borders. Examples he stated was the winning of two court cases in respect of the Republic against Offspring Water Company and Paul Pando, a Nigerian drug smuggler.

On revenue mobilization, the office has made strides by doubling its revenue target in the past two years. This was a key factor that led to the award, Best Performing Office.

The office has also improved food products registration tremendously due to effective public education and stakeholder engagements. The Regional Head expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the CEO of the FDA for instituting this award scheme. He also thanked the entire staff of the Volta Regional office and challenged them to work hard to maintain the title.