The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized a container full of Opioids worth GH₵20m at the Tema Port.
According to reports the seized shipment included, 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.
The information gathered from authorities revealed that the consignment was intended for Niger as its final destination.
Port, Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has assured of the government’s commitment to Prevent Opioid Trafficking.
Speaking at a press briefing at Tema Port he stated, “Inasmuch 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.”
Meanwhile, there has been a viral video of some young Ghanaian youths high on drugs that has surfaced on social media identified as red.
Just a few weeks ago, a BBC Eye investigation revealed that an Indian pharmaceutical company is manufacturing unlicensed extremely addictive opioids and unlawfully shipping them to Ghana and other African countries.
The Indian pharma firm Aveo Pharmaceuticals based in Mumbai is making a range of pills to look like legitimate medicines.
The information revealed green pills labelled Tafrodol with the packets stamped with the distinctive logo of Aveo Pharmaceuticals.
According to the information gathered, the pills comprise the same harmful mix of ingredients: tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant which has been banned in Europe.
The drugs according to reports are not licensed anywhere in the world and cause breathing difficulties and seizures.
These drugs have however found their way to the streets of Ghana and other West African countries like Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire.
According to the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), about fifty thousand (50,000) people in Ghana, particularly the youth, abuse drugs, out of which 35,000 are students from junior/senior high schools and tertiary institutions.
The information gathered also reveals, that three northern regions account for more than 50% of the reported usage.
Under Ghana’s new amended drug policy, illicit drug use is subject to a fine ranging from GH₵2,400 to GH₵6,000, replacing the previous punishment of imprisonment.
Additionally, Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey Korle Constituency, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has 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 stated, “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 quite 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 harassed the students and teachers 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.”
She further warned of the severe consequences of illicit drug imports, emphasizing their impact on individuals’ lives, school safety, and overall national security.
