An Accra Circuit Court has convicted and sentenced Francis Amofa for publishing false and misleading information about the Tradition Rice brand on social media — marking a significant enforcement action in the fight against misinformation about FDA-regulated products.
What Happened
Amofa was found guilty of false publication after the court accepted evidence that he posted a video on TikTok falsely claiming that the Tradition Rice product was fake and dangerous. The claims were made without any factual basis and were found to have the potential to damage consumer confidence and harm a legitimate business operating within Ghana’s regulatory framework.
The Court’s Ruling
The Accra Circuit Court handed down the following orders:
- A fine of 1,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢12,000, with a 50-day prison sentence in the event of non-payment
- Compensation of GH¢6,000 to the complainant
- An order to delete the video from his social media page
A Warning to All
This conviction is a reminder that freedom of expression does not extend to the reckless publication of unverified claims about food, medicines, or any other FDA-regulated product. Misinformation of this nature not only harms businesses but also undermines public trust in safe, approved products — with real consequences for consumers and the broader market.
The FDA will continue to pursue legal action against individuals and entities that publish false information about regulated products, and encourages the public to verify claims through official channels before sharing content online.
