By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu – Bo City
The Chairperson of the Traders Union, Madam Esther Pendeman Koroma, has issued a strong call to market traders across the region to uphold ethical and responsible business practices, especially in the handling and sale of food commodities. Her statement comes amid growing concerns over the alleged use of harmful raw chemicals in food storage and processing, posing serious risks to public health.
Madam Koroma made the appeal during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting organized to address rising fears over food adulteration, particularly the suspected contamination of items like palm oil with hazardous substances.
She emphasized the urgent need for integrity, transparency, and accountability among traders and condemned any form of behavior that may compromise consumer health.
“Our responsibility as traders goes beyond profit. We must ensure that what we sell is safe for consumption. Any act that endangers lives is unacceptable,” she stressed.
The meeting attracted several prominent figures, including: Madam Haja Baindu Kallon, Regional Chairlady for Traders, Councillor Sheriff Kamara, Fatmata Babor, representing Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Brima Kanneh and Representatives from various consumer protection agencies.
Consumer rights advocate Fanta Debassie issued a stern warning on behalf of her agency, declaring that routine inspections will soon begin in major markets to identify and penalize traders found using dangerous chemicals in food products.
“We will take decisive action. Consumer safety is non-negotiable,” she warned.
Mr. Sualo Koroma, representing the Office of National Security (ONS), pledged his agency’s collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police and other enforcement bodies to track and prosecute offenders.
“We will not only arrest offenders we will also name and shame them,” he said.
Adding to this, Chief Superintendent of Police Sia Bernadette Sandi, Local Unit Commander (LUC) for the Eastern Division, reiterated the police force’s commitment to work closely with the Traders Union. She assured the public that investigations will be thorough and fair, and only those proven guilty will face prosecution.
All stakeholders present at the meeting echoed a strong warning to traders engaging in unethical or illegal food handling practices. They collectively called for a renewed focus on: Consumer safety, business integrity and legal accountability.
The meeting concluded with a unified message: unethical trade practices will not be tolerated, and public health must remain a top priority in all commercial activities.
