Research has shown that exposure to lead-based paint can cause severe cognitive impairments, affecting learning ability, memory, and overall brain development.
JoyNews’ latest Hotline documentary, American Paints: The Painter’s Galamsey, has uncovered the alarming presence of high-lead paints being sold on the Ghanaian market.
A study conducted by American researchers in collaboration with Ghana’s regulatory agencies found dangerously high levels of lead in locally sold paints. Out of 46 paint samples analyzed, 15 contained lead levels far above the acceptable limit of 90 parts per million (ppm).
This marks a sharp increase from 2023 when only six out of 59 samples tested exceeded safe lead levels. Even more concerning, some paints that previously met safety standards have now surpassed the 90 ppm threshold, with the highest lead content reaching a staggering 200,000 ppm.
Households using these paints unknowingly expose pregnant women and children to severe health risks, including irreversible brain damage and other neurological disorders. The affordability of these paints compared to locally manufactured ones appears to be driving their popularity.
However, these paints are not certified by the Ghana Standards Authority. The Authority’s CEO, Prof. Alex Dodoo, revealed that these so-called “American paints” are unregulated, creating a major gap in oversight.
A regulatory dispute has further complicated the issue. The Ghana Standards Authority claims that the mandate to regulate these imported paints has been handed over to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), while the FDA insists it has no jurisdiction over them, leaving the market unmonitored.
Freight forwarding agents have disclosed that some importers collaborate with customs officials to smuggle these hazardous paints into the country, avoiding statutory duties and bypassing regulatory scrutiny. Once on the local market, oversight becomes nearly impossible.
Jessica Nkansah, Director of the Inspectorate Directorate at the Ghana Standards Authority, has raised concerns about the conditions under which these paints are processed.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Technical Officer on Lead, Lovelace Sarpong, noted that while some local manufacturers have improved their lead standards since a 2013 United Nations Environment Programme investigation, uncertified imports remain a growing threat.
The label “American Paints” is a deceptive branding tactic that lures unsuspecting Ghanaians into purchasing cheap yet harmful products.
Without urgent intervention, these toxic paints will continue to endanger lives, particularly those of children, the most vulnerable victims of lead poisoning.