Health
Ghana facing illicit opioids crisis
Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) have issued stark warnings about the growing threat of illicit opioids in Ghana.
In a statement delivered to Parliament, Mr. Akandoh emphasized that the increasing infiltration of these dangerous substances is “a matter of grave public health and national security concern.”
“Mr. Speaker, the opioid crisis is not just a health issue but a national emergency. We need a coordinated and sustained response from all relevant sectors and the public,” he declared.
Unregistered drugs and border vulnerabilities
Mr. Akandoh revealed that Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority had confirmed the presence of several unregistered Tramadol brands, including Trafanol, Tarapamol, and Tramaking, which have entered the country through unapproved routes.
He also cited a recent investigative report by BBC Africa Eye, which exposed the alleged exportation of unapproved drugs containing tapentadol and carisoprodol.
These revelations have intensified concerns over the effectiveness of current border controls and regulatory measures, highlighting vulnerabilities that illicit drug traffickers continue to exploit.
Immediate govt response and coordinated action
In response to the crisis, the Sector Minister informed Parliament that the Ministry of Health has taken immediate actions to combat the menace.
These measures include tightening border inspections to intensify checks at major entry points, increased monitoring of over-the-counter drug sales, seizure of unauthorised opioids, and initiating legal action against offenders.
In addition, a national education campaign has been launched to raise public awareness about the dangers of illicit opioid use.
The Minister also stressed the need for inter-agency collaboration, urging all relevant bodies to close loopholes, tighten regulations, and hold those responsible accountable.
“Mr. Speaker, we must close the loopholes, tighten the rules, and hold those responsible for this crisis accountable,” he stated.
Broad political and professional consensus
The alarming situation has garnered widespread attention from various political and professional stakeholders.
Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, NDC MP for Klottey Korle, described the phenomenon as truly alarming, citing the devastating impact of illicit drugs on public health and safety.
Mr. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, NPP MP for Asante-Akim Central, highlighted the rising addiction among youth as a clarion call for strengthened border monitoring and enhanced cooperation between the Ministry of Health, Customs, and the Narcotics Control Board.
Professor Titus Kofi Bayuo, NDC MP for Lambussie, called for strict regulation of these drugs, warning that failure to do so would only exacerbate the widespread social and economic challenges associated with substance abuse.
PSGH condemns illicit importation
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has unequivocally condemned the illicit importation of highly dangerous opioids into Ghana and other West African countries.
In its statement, PSGH decried the proliferation of unapproved pharmaceutical products, particularly those containing tapentadol and carisoprodol, which pose severe public health risks.
The society referenced a BBC documentary that exposed how companies like Aveo Pharmaceuticals of India exported unlicensed and unregistered opioid formulations—such as Tafrodol, Timaking, and Super Royal-225—into Ghana.
These drugs, which are not approved for medical use anywhere in the world, have been linked to a rising number of addiction cases and severe health complications in the region.
Call for a thorough investigation and stronger controls
PSGH emphasized that the abuse of opioids has devastated communities, contributing to increased substance dependency, mental health disorders, and broader socio-economic challenges. The society called on regulatory agencies, including the FDA, the Pharmacy Council, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)-Customs Division, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service, the Narcotics Control Authority, the National Intelligence Bureau, and all other relevant bodies, to expedite a thorough, independent investigation into these allegations.
“If any local pharmaceutical company is found to have breached regulatory protocols, appropriate sanctions should be enforced to maintain the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain in Ghana,” PSGH stated.
Additionally, PSGH called for enhanced border controls, strict pharmaco-vigilance measures, interagency cooperation, and robust public education and awareness campaigns to combat the illicit opioid trade.
“The PSGH remains committed to ensuring that only safe, effective, and approved medicines are available in Ghana. We urge all stakeholders, including the government, regulatory bodies, healthcare professionals, and the general public, to join hands in combatting this dangerous illicit trade,” the statement concluded.
Source: NewsCenta
The Ghana AIDS Commission has expressed deep concern over a sharp increase in HIV infections among young people, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 24.
Recent data from the Commission indicates a troubling trend: many adolescents and young adults are prioritising the prevention of pregnancy over protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, July 22, the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Prosper Akanbong, highlighted the rising preference for emergency contraceptives rather than condoms as a key driver of new infections.
“We are witnessing alarmingly high infection rates among the 15 to 24 age group. This progressive rise in HIV cases is very disturbing,” Dr. Akanbong stated.
He explained that many young people perceive pregnancy as a more immediate concern than contracting HIV, leading to a significant increase in the use of emergency contraceptive pills, while condom usage—which offers protection against both pregnancy and STIs—remains low.
“There’s a shift in priorities among young people. The fear of getting pregnant outweighs the fear of contracting infections, and that’s dangerous. Condom use is declining even as emergency contraceptives become more popular,” he lamented.
Dr. Akanbong called for urgent and intensified public education efforts to promote safe sex practices and dispel widespread misconceptions about HIV and reproductive health.
Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, has assured nurses and midwives that the government will improve their conditions of service as the economy stabilizes.
Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, June 22, 2025, Dr. Sandaare expressed confidence that President Mahama’s administration would provide additional incentives once the economy improves.
He acknowledged the vital role healthcare workers play, stating that the government is not ignoring their demands.
“Government is not saying that it is wrong to give them uniforms. Government is only saying that give us some time because their issues were not captured in the 2025 budget,” Dr. Sandaare explained. “But we know what motivated nurses and midwives can do in terms of delivering quality healthcare.”
He assured them that President John Dramani Mahama would go beyond supplying uniforms and offer more incentives if the economy picks up.
“That is why I believe that under his leadership, nurses and midwives will not leave this country. They will be excited and work in an enabling environment,” Sandaare added.
Nurses and midwives recently resumed work after going on strike to demand the implementation of their conditions of service agreed upon in May 2024. The strike, which began on June 2, 2025, led to the withdrawal of emergency services, significantly impacting healthcare delivery.
Following the intervention of the Parliamentary Health Committee, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) suspended the strike on June 13, 2025.
A final meeting between nurses, midwives, and the government is scheduled for June 26, 2025, to resolve the matter.
General News
GRNMA Suspends Nationwide Strike After “Fruitful” Talks with Parliament’s Health Committee
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has called off its nationwide strike following what it described as “very fruitful” discussions with Parliament’s Select Committee on Health.
The industrial action, which commenced on June 2, 2025, stemmed from delays in the implementation of a Collective Agreement signed in May 2024. What began as a symbolic protest with nurses wearing red armbands escalated into a full-blown withdrawal of outpatient and emergency services by June 9, significantly disrupting healthcare delivery nationwide.
In a press statement released on Friday, June 13, GRNMA announced the suspension of the strike, citing strong public appeals and the timely intervention of Parliament’s Health Committee.
“The engagement held with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and other stakeholders on Thursday, June 12, 2025, was very productive and laid the groundwork for a peaceful resolution of the dispute,” the statement noted.
The association has directed all nurses and midwives to return to duty beginning Saturday, June 14. A follow-up meeting with Parliament has been scheduled for June 26 to finalize the path forward on implementing the agreement.
GRNMA also took the opportunity to address circulating misinformation, stressing that the strike was neither politically driven nor intended to harm patients.
“We do not find satisfaction in seeing our patients suffer. But we cannot provide quality care when the system fails to support us,” the association stated.
Reaffirming its neutrality, GRNMA underscored its role as a non-partisan professional body that has consistently engaged all governments over its 65-year history to advocate for improved conditions for nurses and midwives.
“In our 65 years of existence, GRNMA has never been affiliated with any political party. We have worked with every government since 1960 to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system,” the statement emphasized.
The association expressed appreciation to the Chairman, Ranking Member, and members of the Health Committee for their structured and decisive intervention. It also extended gratitude to its members for their unity and professionalism during the strike, and acknowledged the media for highlighting their concerns.
“We thank the media sincerely for amplifying our voices across Ghana and beyond. We urge continued professionalism to guard against misinformation,” the statement concluded.
GRNMA assured the public that it remains committed to seeing the full implementation of the Collective Agreement.
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