Authorities at the Tema Port have seized opioid drugs worth approximately GH₵20 million in a collaborative effort led by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The shipment of various controlled substances, reportedly destined for Niger include;
Rahol Tapentadol 250 mg – 26 cartons
Tafradol Tapentadol 120 mg – 160 cartons
Timaking Tapentadol 120 mg – 40 cartons
Loperamide 2 mg – 190 cartons
Chlorpheniramine Maleate – 320 cartons
At a press briefing, Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing Ghana from becoming a hub for opioid trafficking, pledging stricter regulations and enhanced monitoring to combat the issue.
“In as much as we are interested in facilitating trade in this country, we will not allow Ghana to be a safe haven for opioids. And let me tell you that the president is personally interested in this matter. On my way here, he called me twice, and it tells you how important and critical this particular issue is”.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey Korle Constituency, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, in an earlier submission in parliament urged the government to enhance security measures and closely monitor activities at the country’s borders.
Her call follows a recent BBC Eye investigation, which revealed that unlicensed and highly addictive opioids from India are fueling a growing drug crisis in Ghana. The report highlighted Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, as a hotspot for fake tramadol abuse.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, February 25, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that drug abuse is a national security threat, pointing out that a significant number of young people are engaged in substance abuse.
She cited her constituency as an example, where drug addicts have taken over schools, harassing both students and teachers at the Nii Amugi Calvary Cluster of Schools. She recounted a recent incident in which a security officer at the school was attacked by a gang of drug addicts and is now in coma at the 37 Military Hospital.
“Mr. Speaker Ghana is well known to be a hub and a transit point for illicit drugs but this particular phenomenon we are witnessing is quiet shocking actually. As a matter of fact in my constituency we have a cluster of schools, the Nii Amugi cluster of schools where people who are addicted to drugs have actually invaded the premises and harass the students and teachers and recently in the last 3 weeks, one of the security personnel in the school was attacked by a gang of drug addicts and is now at the 37 military hospital in a coma.”
Watch video:
In a significant bust, customs officials at Tema Port have seized opioid drugs worth approximately GH₵20 million, originally intended for Niger.
Health Minister Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh after inspecting the drugs has however reaffirmed his commitment to preventing Ghana… pic.twitter.com/7rPVnaYQd4
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 17, 2025
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