Kumasi: Operatives of National Security have launched a special operation to rid the streets of Kumasi of a popular toxic cocktail sold as a 'heart cleanser.'
According to Ghana Web, the drink, known in Hausa as 'Madara Sukudai', has become popular among many Ghanaians, especially the youth, who believe it possesses heart-cleansing potency. The operation follows preliminary investigations by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which revealed that the herbal concoction contains substances harmful to human health.
The report indicated that an acute toxicity test conducted by the Department of Pharmacology at the university found that the drink contained acetone, zinc chloride, and ethanol, raising serious health concerns. The test, which involved laboratory rats, produced alarming results as all the rats administered low, medium, and high doses of the chemical used to prepare the concoction died within 24 hours.
The dead rats reportedly showed signs of uneasiness a few seconds after taking the drink. Head of the Department of Pharmacology at KNUST, Cynthia Amaning Danquah, speaking to JoyNews, explained how the experiment was conducted. She stated that they used different doses of the product on groups of rats, all of which died within 24 hours, and noted the product's corrosive effect on plastic containers.
According to the pharmacologist, acetone is a potent solvent typically used in paint thinner and nail polish remover, while zinc chloride is a highly corrosive chemical used in wood preservation and dry cell batteries. She warned that the substances can cause gastric irritation and severe damage to vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.
Authorities at KNUST have scheduled further chronic toxicity investigations, which will include biochemical tests on the organs of the deceased rats. Even before the comprehensive investigations are completed, the researchers have advised the public to stay away from the cocktail drink as it poses a significant danger to human health.
The crackdown by National Security follows the arrest of a trader who deals in the chemicals used in the preparation of the drink after several weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering. The suspect was picked up during an operation led by the Ashanti Regional Deputy Security Coordinator, Njeh Abdallah Umar, at Aboabo in Kumasi.
According to the security official, the presence of the drink on the streets of Kumasi has become a national security concern. He emphasized the need for action, noting that individuals selling the drink refuse to consume it themselves, highlighting its dangerous nature.