A member of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Dr. Titus Beyuo, is calling for urgent and decisive state intervention to halt the rising and dangerous trend of skin bleaching in children in Ghana.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show today, June 2, in reaction to the JoyNews documentary Bleached Babies: The Cost of Beauty, which highlights the harmful effects of skin bleaching and colourism in Ghana, Dr Beyuo issued a stern warning that the health risks these children are likely to face extend far beyond mere cosmetic concerns.
“There are enough laws already,” he said, “but the real problem is enforcement. Who enforces them—and how?”
Dr. Beyuo stressed that children under 18 are neither legally nor developmentally capable of making critical health decisions. When parents expose them to harmful substances like bleaching agents, he argued, the state must act.
“When a parent makes a decision that endangers a child’s health, the state has a duty to step in. Children are not property—they are citizens the state must protect,” he said.
He believes the responsibility to safeguard children’s health lies with all institutions of society, not just with individual families.
While some may suggest cracking down on parents who bleach their children’s skin, Dr Beyuo insisted the issue goes much deeper.
He identified societal pressure and harmful beauty standards as root causes that must be addressed through public education and cultural change.
“This is bigger than one or two people,” he said. “We have to reduce the societal pressure that drives parents to bleach their children’s skin. Education is key—but people must also understand the full consequences of these actions.”
Dr. Beyuo explained that although some parents may recognise the immediate effects, such as skin thinning or delayed wound healing, many are unaware of the serious long-term dangers.
According to him, prolonged exposure to bleaching products can cause severe developmental and medical issues in children, including:
- Growth restriction – children may never reach their full height potential.
- Cushing’s syndrome – a condition that causes excessive fat buildup, leading to a swollen “moon face.”
- Neurological effects – bleaching chemicals can interfere with brain development.
- Early-onset hypertension – children exposed to such substances may develop high blood pressure, leading to lifelong complications.
“Do parents know that this can affect a child’s growth or brain? Do they know it can lead to chronic diseases in childhood? I don’t think many do,” he stated.
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Dr. Beyuo acknowledged the importance of public awareness campaigns, documentaries, and community outreach, describing them as essential tools in raising national consciousness about the issue.
“Education plays a vital role,” he said. “Documentaries and films like this help—but they must be backed by real action.”
He emphasised that enforcement is the missing piece and called on authorities to ensure the laws already in place are implemented effectively.
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