Pregnant Woman Fined GH¢25,000 by FDA Over TikTok Product Promotion
JHNews || The FDA’s GH¢25,000 fine on a pregnant TikToker sends a sharp warning to online promoters — flaunting unapproved products isn’t “influencing,” it’s breaking the law.
HENRY GERCHI 
The Upper East Regional Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has fined a pregnant woman, Madam Perpetual Akurugu, GH¢25,000 for illegally promoting unregistered aphrodisiac and body enhancement products on TikTok.
According to the FDA, the products — which were found stored in kitchen cabinets at her Yorogo residence in Bolgatanga — were being advertised to the public without approval. The discovery was made by Mr. Abel Ndego, the Acting Upper East Regional Head of the FDA, during a late-night social media surveillance operation.
Following the discovery, FDA officials confiscated the unregistered products and placed the woman under arrest, despite her pregnancy. The Authority cited Section 114 of Ghana’s Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), which prohibits the sale or advertisement of unregistered drugs or cosmetics.
Mr. Ndego explained that the FDA has intensified its monitoring of both traditional and digital media to identify illegal product promotions. “We are on high alert for persons who exploit social media to market unapproved substances that could harm public health,” he stated.
He added that the Authority will continue to carry out surprise market inspections and enforce the law without exception to ensure consumer safety.
The FDA’s actions form part of a broader national campaign to curb the spread of unsafe products and misinformation on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where unregulated advertising has been on the rise.
