Over the past three months, the Accra Central Market has been grappling with a shortage of enema bulb syringes, commonly referred to as “bentua,” leaving numerous vendors without stock.
This scarcity came to light during a week-long engagement between The Mirror and several traders specializing in the product.
Vendors from different regions of the country, who typically visit the market to procure “bentua” in bulk, have consistently returned home empty-handed.
According to these vendors, a licensed importer based in Kumasi, who holds a monopoly on “bentua” imports, is the root cause of the shortage.
Georgina, a vendor at UTC in Accra, revealed that this wholesaler supplies the majority of the stock in Kumasi and several 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 monopoly on “bentua” imports has placed numerous vendors and their customers in a precarious situation. “We’ve been inundated with complaints and demands from potential customers,” expressed one vendor to The Mirror.
These customers are keen on acquiring the “bentua” for distribution to different locations. At the Accra Central Market, some vendors were seen leaving their merchandise behind, aiming to promptly secure the “bentua” from their suppliers.
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
Dr. Philemon Kumassah, a general surgery practitioner at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, shed light on the issue in an interview with The Mirror.
He clarified that the problem stemmed from the intended usage of the enema bulb syringes. Dr. Kumassah cautioned against administering certain herbs through the syringe, as it could adversely affect the colon and is generally not recommended.
He emphasized that such usage is warranted only in rare medical cases.
Even then, he stressed the importance of using a special enema that is gentle on the colon when clearing 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
Several individuals, including young people, shared with The Mirror that they utilized the syringe for various purposes. These ranged from alleviating constipation and diarrhea to administering medication to enhance sexual performance and even for disciplining children.
Daavi, a market vendor, disclosed that she was introduced to the practice by fellow market women. Growing up in a Ga household, she had not been familiar with its use initially, but upon their recommendation, she began utilizing it.
“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
During discussions about the handling of the bentua, some market women suggested that its tube could be substituted with a ballpoint pen container.
This alternative sparked debate among them. While one woman argued that the original tube was superior, hygienic, and posed no risks, another, Maame Etruba, clarified that the improvised container was sufficient for delivering two shots at once due to its larger opening and capacity to absorb more 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.