The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Ivy Asantewa Owusu, recently raised alarms over the increasing number of students in second-cycle institutions engaging in skin bleaching. Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of Pentecost Senior High School in Koforidua, she revealed that as many as 30% of students in some schools are involved in this harmful practice, both male and female. She expressed her deep concern, describing the trend as disheartening, and questioned the values these students are adopting through such actions.
Skin bleaching, which involves using products to lighten one’s complexion, has long been associated with serious health risks. These products, often containing chemicals like hydroquinone, can cause a variety of health problems including skin cancer, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and neurological issues like memory loss and tremors. Despite these dangers, the practice remains prevalent, especially among young people who may not fully understand the consequences.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has already outlawed skin bleaching among students. In its recently approved harmonized Code of Conduct, the GES explicitly prohibits students from engaging in skin bleaching, labeling it as “Improper Dressing.” However, the enforcement of this rule has been weak, with no significant punishment for those found guilty. This lack of enforcement contributes to the continued spread of the practice in schools.
Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has also taken steps to address the issue. In 2017, the FDA banned the importation of products containing bleaching agents. However, much like the GES regulation, enforcement has been a challenge, and many bleaching products continue to circulate in the market. In an encouraging development, the FDA announced in August that it would ramp up efforts to enforce this ban, specifically targeting products containing hydroquinone, a chemical widely used in skin-lightening products.
Mimi Darko, Acting Chief Executive of the FDA, informed a parliamentary committee that her organization is working with cosmetic sellers to ensure the removal of these harmful products from the market. She also confirmed that the FDA has halted the registration of any new products containing hydroquinone and is conducting laboratory tests to identify hidden traces of the chemical in cosmetic products.
As the issue of skin bleaching among students grows, it is evident that stricter enforcement, education, and awareness are essential to combating this harmful trend. Both the GES and FDA’s initiatives mark a step in the right direction, but continued effort and vigilance are necessary to protect the health and well-being of Ghana’s youth.
If left unchecked, skin bleaching could have long-term consequences not only for the students involved but for the broader society. Educators, parents, and regulatory bodies must unite to discourage this practice and promote a culture that values natural beauty and health over harmful cosmetic alterations.
Conclusion
While efforts are being made, more needs to be done to address the growing issue of skin bleaching, especially among young people. Health risks, societal pressures, and the accessibility of harmful products are all contributing to this worrying trend. Only through concerted action from all stakeholders can Ghana hope to reverse this dangerous pattern and foster a culture that embraces self-acceptance and personal well-being.
