Conference Abstract | Volume 9, Abstract 040 (ConfProc7) | Published: 04 May 2026
Jennifer Yinisoti Pelig-Ba1,&, Rita Agyekumwah Asante2,3, Clement Anyim1, Abel Ndego1
1Food and Drugs Authority, Upper East Region, Bolgatanga, Ghana, 2Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, Ghana, 3Food and Drugs Authority, Head Office, Accra, Ghana
&Corresponding author: Jennifer Yinisoti Pelig-Ba, Food and Drugs Authority, Upper East Region, Ghana; Email: jennifer.pelig-ba@fda.gov.gh; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0170-4291
Received: 23 Aug 2025, Accepted: 28 Oct 2025, Published: 04 May 2026
Domain: Health Informatics
Keywords: Food and Drugs Authority, Upper East Region, Data Quality Audit, SWOT analysis, Regulatory Compliance
©Jennifer Yinisoti Pelig-Ba et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Jennifer Yinisoti Pelig-Ba et al. Enhancing regulatory compliance through data quality audits: Identifying gaps and opportunities within the Ghana FDA regional structure. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2026;9(ConfProc7):040. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO7-0040
A robust data management system is crucial for informed decision-making and effective policy formulation within public health regulatory bodies. The effects of poor-quality data can be adversely influence compliance to food and drug safety thereby affecting public health. This study presents the findings of a Data Quality Audit (DQA) conducted at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Regional Office in the Upper East Region of Ghana in 2025. This study evaluated the quality of data in ensuring how dependable and accurate information supports regulatory actions.
The audit employed a descriptive study design, primarily utilizing qualitative methods with a minor quantitative component. Data collection involved stakeholder interviews, file reviews, and a comprehensive Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis using a standardized structured questionnaire with results presented in a table.
Among the 15 officers engaged from selected units, lack of equipment for evidence collection, and inadequate training on current regulatory guidelines within the Enforcement Unit were identified as weakness. For the Safety Monitoring Unit, challenges included a lack of regional segregation in online reporting, no motivation for target audiences to report Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs), and inability to analyse regional data due to online access limitations. Opportunities for improvement include improved data reporting systems with region-specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and enhanced collaboration with local governments. Threats identified encompass insufficient staff and inconsistent ICSR reporting patterns.
This DQA provides insights into the data management systems of the FDA’s Upper East Regional Office, highlighting areas for targeted interventions. The FDA regional office should aim to improve data integrity, streamline operations, and ultimately strengthen the FDA’s capacity to safeguard public health and maintain trust in the regulatory system.
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