Health officials in Ghana and Kenya call for lead poisoning prevention

Health authorities in Ghana and Kenya are advocating for a shift from merely detecting lead poisoning to implementing preventative measures to protect public health, particularly children.

In Ghana, the Ministry of Health launched the 2026 National Lead Poisoning Awareness Week under the theme, “From Detection to Prevention”. Chief Director Desmond Boateng identified lead-based paints, mining, battery recycling, and electronic waste as primary sources of exposure. He warned that lead can impair brain development and learning in children, while causing kidney and cardiovascular issues in adults. The initiative involves collaboration with UNICEF Ghana, the World Health Organization, and the Environmental Protection Authority to strengthen surveillance and regulatory enforcement.

In Kenya, during the 14th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action at the University of Nairobi, Dr. Joyce Kithure highlighted the commissioning of a new Exposure Science and Chemometrics Laboratory. This facility is designed to analyze heavy metals in consumer products and the environment. A national policy brief was also presented to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, recommending stricter tracking of lead-containing pigments and tighter supply-chain controls through international conventions.