The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it will ban cosmetic products containing skin bleaching ingredient, hydroquinone.

According to the FDA, the ban will take effect from August 2016 in accordance with a directive from the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).

Head of Communication at the FDA, James Lartey disclosed this at a public forum in the Volta Regional capital, Ho.

“Currently the FDA allows two percent of hydroquinone in skin bleaching products but from 2016, all skin lightening products are supposed to be hydroquinone-free – that means zero percent – and this is going to be enforced”.

Some Ghanaians who spoke to Joy News were excited about the new directive.

They said the directive was long overdue because skin bleaching products are harmful.

“It has taken too long for them to do this but those who are bleaching will have issues with it. Bleaching is not good”, one lady told Beatrice Adu.

Another said, “it is good they are banning it, I think black is beautiful and you should be proud of who you are”.