This disruption in supply was brought to light during a week-long interaction between The Mirror and some traders in the product.

Vendors from various parts of the country, who frequent the market to purchase the “bentua” on a wholesale basis, have repeatedly had to return home without the product.

According to the vendors, a Kumasi-based licensed importer, who has monopolised the importation of the “bentua”, is at the heart of the shortage issue. A vendor at UTC in Accra, who gave her name as Georgina, explained that the wholesaler supplied most of the stock in Kumasi and some West African countries including Cote d’Ivoire. “So by the time she supplies Accra, ‘na aka ketewa bi (it’s left with a small quantity).”

The exclusive import arrangement has left many vendors and their customers in a difficult position. “Frequent complaints and agitation from prospective customers have been overwhelming,” one of the vendors told The Mirror.

Some users replace the tube of syringes with a ball pen container

These customers are eager to obtain the “bentua” so they can distribute them to various destinations. At the Central Market in Accra, some vendors were observed abandoning their wares in hopes of being timely in getting the “bentua” from their distributors.

Amid this chaos, confusion arose when some vendors mistook this reporter for an importer who had come to improve their supply woes. A vendor at Kingsway, Maame Bee, expressed her frustration, stating, “If the woman in Kumasi does not supply the Accra Central market, nobody else seems to have the right to import into the country.

She imports them from China.” Another vendor who sold in front of the Universal Merchant Bank at the Okaishie market Naa Tsotsòo, shared similar concerns.

“Unfortunately, we cannot produce “bentua” in Ghana,” she lamented. “China, Germany, and Holland all produce “bentua”. There’s also an Indian company in Abidjan making them. Our great, great, grandmothers have been using this; Why can’t we produce some here?” she asked.

The shortage has severely impacted vendors such as Offeibea, who has been in the “bentua” business for 16 years and depends heavily on its sales for her livelihood.

“Because of the shortage, I am unable to sell wholesale. What I have now is just for retailing and it affects business; I can’t make much profit,” she stated from her position beneath a staircase in the cosmetics section of the market.

Despite these challenges, the “bentua” remains a highly patronised and profitable item, with prices ranging from GH₵25 to GH₵70 depending on the size. The “bentua” is a bulb syringe used in administering liquid through the anus for various health and ritual purposes.

Medical

However, a medical practitioner in general surgery at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Philemon Kumassah, in an interview with The Mirror explained that the problem with the purchase had to do with what buyers were using it for.

He added that the administration of some herbs through the syringe could have an effect on the colon and is therefore not generally recommended.

Mixtures of herbs are used with the “bentua”

He noted that it was only in rare medical conditions that its usage was required, “even that, it is a special enema which is very gentle on the colon when we want to clear the rectum”.

“There is no health benefit for using an enema syringe and if there are no medical benefits, why are you using it?” he asked. A midwife at the Mamprobi Polyclinic in Accra, Ms Doreen Osei, also debunked the rumour that the syringe was a requirement at the labour ward.

“What we use is called penguin sucker. It is used to suction a baby’s nostrils and mouth after delivery to clear the airway for respiration”, she explained.

Users

Some users of the syringe, including young people who spoke to The Mirror explained that they used it to relieve constipation, and diarrhoea, administer medication to improve sex and administer punishment to children.

Daavi, a market woman, said she grew up in a Ga home and was not taught how to use it, and explained that she started practising it upon the recommendation of some market women.

“I use my bentua after every three months as soon as l deworm. I get some herbs and flush out my system. I feel very good”, she said. Ella Mensah, 28, said, “bentua de3 3y3 birth control (the syringe is a birth control device), all you need is to grind some pawpaw leaves and administer it early in the morning after a sexual encounter instead of taking morning after pills”.

Tube

Speaking on the handling of bentua, some market women noted that its tube could be replaced with a ballpoint pen container. The use of the ballpoint pen container generated some discussion among them. One of the women maintained that the original tube was better, hygienic and did not pose any danger.

Another market woman, Maame Etruba, explained that the improvised was enough to give two shots at a go because it had a big opening and could absorb much liquid.

“Besides the tip of the pen container is not smooth enough and likely to cause a tear at the anus” she added. They, however, concluded that buyers of the syringe who found the tip of the tube rough could trim it to make it smooth for penetration.

For example, there were some names of ‘everyday items’ our teachers wrongly coined for us.

Today, we wish to set the records straight and let you know the correct English names of some of these things.

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Check them out below:

1. ALASA: Alasa is a popular fruit loved by many in Ghana but how many of us really know its name in English? The English name for Alasa is the AFRICAN STAR FRUIT.

2. ALUGUNTUGUI: We know you’ve been told all your life that the English name for Aluguntugui is Sweet Apple. Well, you were lied to because the right name for the fruit is SOURSOP.

3. KONTONMIRE: There has been a lot of difficulties when people try to translate ‘Kontonmire’ into English. Even some of our English books failed at this and left it as it is (Kontonmire). Others tried and named it ‘Cocoyam leaves.’ Today, your headache ends here, the right name for the popular staple is TARO LEAVES.

4. YOOYI: We know most of you refer to it as ‘blackberries’ but sorry to let you know you’ve been wrong all this while. Blackberries are completely different. The right name for Yooyi in English is VELVET TAMARIND.

5. BEDURU/KWAHU NSUSOA/AMA DWORODO/NSAMAN NTOROBA: It is a popular vegetable in Ghana that is used in many dishes in Ghana but how many of us really know its English name? Well if you’ve ever wondered, the right name in English is TURKEY BERRIES.

6. DADESEN: We know many people claim the correct English name of this common pot used in many homes in Ghana is ‘Iron Pot.’ Sorry, but they’re wrong, the correct name is CAULDRON.

7. BENTUA: For decades, Ghanaians have had difficulty with the correct name for this highly ubiquitous object used in many homes in Ghana.

There have been funny and interesting monikers given to this object mostly by people who claim it’s a pure Ghanaian product and so it does not come with an English name.

Sorry to bust your bubble but this product is actually ancient and it’s still being used by many people all over the world. It is called ENEMA BULB SYRINGE.

8. ASANKA: The right name for Asanka, your favourite bowl is EARTHENWARE BOWL.

9. BANKU TA: The ‘stick’ that is used to stir banku to give it that fine texture is called WOODEN SPATULA. There are different types of wooden spatulas used in many ways for different purposes.

10. ENIASE/MPI: Whenever you wake up from sleep, most times there is this whitish substance or goop at the corner of your eye that we normally call ‘Mpi’ in the Akan language.

If you’ve wondered about its correct name in English, then here you are; it’s RHEUM and not pus or ‘eye pomade’ as others call it.

Credit: ghanasky