In a bold and coordinated effort to curb the escalating abuse of opioids in Ghana, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has launched a nationwide swoop targeting illegal opioid distribution and consumption.
The campaign, which officially began in April 2025, is a response to the alarming rise in substance abuse, particularly among the youth, and is being executed in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, the Pharmacy Council, and the Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the Ghana Police Service.
The operation kicked off with intelligence-led raids in Tema and Ashaiman, two urban areas that have been flagged as hotspots for illegal drug circulation.
Speaking to the media following the swoop, Dr. Olivia Agyekumaa Boateng, Director of Tobacco and Substance Abuse at the FDA, emphasized the urgency of the situation and the Authority’s renewed commitment to protecting public health.
“This is affecting our youth, and we are coming at them with a lot of strategies,” Dr. Boateng declared.
“Apart from the public education that we are doing on the dangers that these drugs have on their daily lives, we are intensifying operations to remove harmful substances from the streets.”
Dr. Boateng noted that the campaign is not solely focused on enforcement but also includes public education, stakeholder collaboration, and mental health support.
She stressed the need to clear the market of illicit drugs that have already entered the country, which she believes are driving the addiction crisis.
“It is important to raid the market of what has already entered the country that is fuelling the abuse,” she said.
The FDA also announced plans to broaden regulatory controls and increase its partnerships with mental health institutions to provide psychological and rehabilitation support for individuals already struggling with addiction.
Opioid abuse in Ghana has seen a disturbing uptick over the past decade, with synthetic drugs such as tramadol and codeine-based cough syrups being commonly misused.
In 2018, a crackdown on tramadol abuse brought the issue to the national forefront, prompting government agencies to heighten regulatory oversight.
However, despite past efforts, the problem has resurfaced, driven by illicit importation, black-market sales, and insufficient awareness about the dangers of opioids.
The FDA’s current operation appears to be the most comprehensive and aggressive anti-opioid campaign undertaken in recent years.
The inclusion of multiple agencies highlights the seriousness with which the government views the crisis. As the initiative rolls out nationwide, authorities are urging the public to cooperate and remain vigilant.
“This is not just a drug issue; it is a public health emergency,” Dr. Boateng warned.
