Ghana Just Made a Bold Move Towards Abolishing Colorism
Score one for natural beauty!
Ghana took a bold step against colorism recently by banning the sale of skin-bleaching products that have become troublingly popular in the country. The country’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) plans to ban the sale of cosmetic products containing hydroquione, the main ingredient in skin-bleaching products that is commonly known to act as a cancer-causing agent. There’s already a ban on hydroquione in the United States.
FDA spokesperson James Lartey said that these skin-bleaching products will no longer be imported to Ghana. “Concerning skin-lightening products, we are saying that from August 2016, all products containing hydroquione will not be allowed into the country. From 2016, the acceptance for skin-lightening products is going to be zero,” said Lartey.
Sadly, over the years, skin bleaching has skyrocketed in Ghana and around the world. The practice has been especially popular among Ghanaian celebrities, with a boxer even admitting to bleaching his skin for political means.
Beasts of No Nation actress Ama K. Abebrese has dedicated efforts to end skin bleaching in Ghana with the “Love Your Natural Skin Tone” campaign. Looks like her efforts, and those of others on a mission to embrace natural beauty, have finally made a huge difference.