A former dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor George Tawia Odamtten has raised concerns about the manner in which some market women use soft plantain that is almost rotten for preparing ‘kakro’ (mashed plantain, made into balls and fried in very hot oil).

According to the professor, the fungi which affect plantain posed a health risk to those who consume them and could affect their lungs which can lead to cancer.

He disclosed this while delivering a public lecture on the topic: "Plant diseases, crop and food security in Ghana," organised by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science in Accra.

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Professor Odamtten said he had observed that market women sell the decayed or rotten plantain to those who prepare ‘kakro’ in order to prevent them [market women] from making losses.

“The ‘kakro’ we all enjoy with beans is mostly prepared with soft plantain but buying the spoilt plantain to prepare it is what I am not encouraging,” he said.

He, therefore, pleaded with those who sell ‘kakro’ to use ripe plantain in order not to put the health of people at risk.

The professor also called on stakeholders and civil society to “support farmers by giving them fertilizers and insecticides to prevent the crops from diseases.”