Pesticide Residues in Foods in Ghana: A Systematic Review

Background and Aim: Pesticide use has surged globally to enhance agricultural productivity. However, this reliance, particularly in developing countries like Ghana, has raised concerns about pesticide residues in foods and their potential health impacts on the population. Exposure to pesticide residueshas been linked to acute poisoning, cancers, and neurological disorders, and is estimated to contribute to about 200,000 deaths globally each year. These risks reinforce the need for responsible pesticide use, robust regulatory frameworks, and sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate food contamination and protect public health. This systematic review aimed to consolidate existing research on pesticide residues in foods in Ghana, identify contamination trends and inform strategies to enhance food safety. Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A thorough search of peer-reviewed databases (PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus) and a complementary search in Google Scholar was conducted using keywords related to pesticide residues in food. Studies that met our predefined inclusion criteria were selected, and data were systematically extracted and analyzed to synthesize the findings. Result: This review included 25 studies published from 2001 to 2024, analyzing 2729 food samples. Pesticide residues were detected in 83.3% of the food samples analyzed. A total of 50 unique pesticide residues were identified, comprising 21 organochlorines, 19 organophosphates, 9 pyrethroids, and 1 phthalimide. The most frequently detected organochlorines were DDT with its isomers and metabolites. Chlorpyrifos was the most detected organophosphate, and cypermethrin was the most identified pyrethroid. Conclusion: This systematic review provided a detailed overview of pesticide residues in foods in Ghana, revealing high levels of pesticide presence that pose significant public health risks. These findings highlight the need for strengthened regulatory measures and improved agricultural practices to mitigate the risk posed by these residues.