Category: Ghana Health News

Opioid abuse: We’re failing the youth – Mental Health Authority boss warns

Ghana’s fight against substance abuse has reached a critical stage, with the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority, Dr. Eugene K. Dordoye, delivering a stark warning that the nation is “failing the youth” in the face of a growing opioid crisis.

Speaking at a JoyNews dialogue themed “Breaking the chains: Ghana’s opioid crisis” on Thursday, August 28, Dr. Dordoye highlighted the unique dangers of opioid addiction for the developing brains of young people.

The dialogue follows JoyNews’ latest investigative documentary, Deadly Doses, which uncovered a surge in drug use among young people in the Ashanti Region.

According to Dr. Dordoye,  a consultant psychiatrist and addiction expert, the addictive nature of opioids is particularly aggressive, as the brain quickly develops a tolerance to the drug, requiring ever-increasing doses to achieve the same effect.

“Unfortunately, very unfortunately, the mind is such that if you take drugs of abuse. Tomorrow, it will demand more, because what you took today will not give you the same high tomorrow,” he explained.

The Head of Department at the University of Health and Allied Sciences also cautioned about the life-threatening risks associated with both overdose and withdrawal.

“If you take too much of it too at a time, you can get overdose death because the drug would depress your respiratory centre, meaning that you start breathing very slowly, so you don’t get enough energy or oxygen into your body to use, so you more or less suffocate,” he warned.

The danger, he added, is not limited to overdose.

Abruptly stopping long-term use can trigger a severe withdrawal syndrome that can also be fatal, making professional medical supervision essential for those attempting to quit, he revealed.

Dr. Dordoye underscored the demographic most at risk: the youth.

He cited an alarming statistic that about one in four people who begin drug abuse before the age of 19 will become dependent on it, compared to just one in nine who start after age 24.

This highlights a heightened vulnerability of the young, developing brain.

“If we are able to protect our young people for some time before they start using, we stand a higher chance of them not getting into it,” he stated.

However, he lamented the lack of adequate protective measures. “Unfortunately, we are not protecting our young ones, and I think as a nation, we are failing them,” he said.

Opioid abuse in Ghana has been primarily driven by the misuse of Tramadol, a synthetic opioid, which is widely used by young men in the informal sector to cope with the physical and non-physical pains of strenuous work and economic hardship.

However, the crisis has evolved, with a surge in the illicit importation of even more potent opioids like Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, often under unregistered brands like Tafrodol and Timaking.

Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and other security agencies have intercepted large shipments of these unapproved drugs at entry points, underscoring the severity of the illegal trade.

Recent efforts by the government and regulatory bodies include:

• Reclassification of Tramadol: It is now a controlled drug, restricting its sale to prescription use only.
• Destruction of Illicit Drugs: The Ministry of Health and the FDA have publicly destroyed large consignments of illegal opioids to deter traffickers and raise public awareness.
• Inter-agency Collaboration: A joint task force involving the FDA, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and Customs is intensifying checks at borders and conducting raids to remove illicit substances from circulation.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives like the “Daabi-Say No to Drug Abuse” campaign are targeting the youth through innovative means, including music videos featuring popular artists.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including porous borders and limited inter-agency intelligence sharing.

As Dr. Dordoye’s words echo, a more concerted and sustained national effort is needed to protect Ghana’s youth from the devastating and often fatal consequences of opioid abuse.

Opioids are essential for pain relief but pose a high addiction risk – FDA

The Head of the Substances of Abuse Department at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Dr. Allotey-Pappoe, has cautioned that Ghana faces a growing risk from the misuse of opioids, warning that their addictive nature poses a major public health concern.

Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Ghana’s opioid crisis on Thursday, August 28, Dr. Allotey-Pappoe explained that opioids, a class of drugs derived either naturally from the poppy plant or synthesized in laboratories, play a dual role in healthcare and abuse.

“When we talk about opioids, we are talking about a class of drugs that come from the poppy plant. We have those that are naturally obtained, such as heroin and morphine, and others that are synthetically derived, like tramadol, tapentadol, and fentanyl,” she said.

According to her, while opioids remain essential in clinical settings for the management of moderate to severe pain, their psychoactive properties make them highly addictive.

“Opioids trigger the release of endorphins, creating feelings of excitement and happiness. That is how people get hooked, because of the euphoria that comes with it,” she noted.

Dr. Allotey-Pappoe stressed that no responsible clinician would prescribe opioids for long-term use due to the high risk of dependence.

In Ghana, she said, only tramadol doses of 50 and 100 milligrams are legally permitted, while codeine-containing cough syrups have been banned since 2019 following widespread abuse.

She further disclosed that tapentadol, a synthetic opioid recently entering the Ghanaian market, is not registered for medical use in the country and does not appear in national treatment guidelines.

“Any tapentadol you see on the market is unregistered and therefore illegal,” she cautioned.

GHS confirms surge in typhoid cases in Oti Region

The Ghana Health Service (GHS), in collaboration with the Oti Regional Coordinating Council and under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, has launched an emergency response to a concerning rise in Typhoid Fever cases across several districts in the Oti Region.

According to GHS, the affected areas include Biakoye, Krachi East, Krachi West, and Krachi Nchumuru, where health authorities have reported a significant increase in suspected cases over the past weeks.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 28, the GHS confirmed that a National Case Management Rapid Response Team has been deployed to support the regional health team in assessing the situation and coordinating a swift response.

“The Ghana Health Service, with support from the Ministry of Health, has deployed the National Case Management Rapid Response Team to support the regional team to ascertain the situation,” the statement read.

Typhoid fever is endemic in Ghana and is caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria. It spreads through the faecal-oral route, typically when people consume food or water contaminated with the faeces or urine of an infected person.

Health officials warn that individuals infected with the bacteria may not always show symptoms but can still spread the disease.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent fever
• Chills
• General malaise
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Abdominal pain (with or without diarrhoea)

The GHS is urging the public, particularly residents in the affected districts, to observe the following preventive measures:

• Ensure all drinking water is safe, preferably by boiling.
• Wash hands with soap under running water after using the toilet and before eating.
• Avoid open defecation, especially near water sources.
• Cook food thoroughly, cover cooked meals, and avoid street food prepared in unhygienic conditions.
• Take part in community clean-up campaigns to eliminate refuse from public spaces, gutters, and market areas.

Authorities are encouraging residents to remain calm and cooperate with health personnel on the ground.

The GHS has assured the public that comprehensive measures will be rolled out following the team’s initial assessment to contain the outbreak and protect lives.

“We wish to entreat the public to remain calm and follow the expert advice from the medical personnel on the ground. We will provide further details after the initial assessment and institute measures that will protect life in the affected districts and the region as a whole,” the statement concluded.

Health Ministry to extend Ridge Hospital assault probe recommendations nationwide

The Ministry of Health has announced that recommendations from the committee set up to investigate the recent assault at Ridge Hospital in Accra will be extended to health facilities across the country.

Read also: Full report: Ridge assault investigative committee submits findings to health minister

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Goodman, said that although the six-member committee’s findings were directed at Ridge Hospital, the measures would be implemented in other facilities across the country.

He explained that the recommendations were carefully designed to strengthen health service delivery and improve safety, adding that the ministry would not hesitate to apply them broadly to ensure similar incidents do not occur elsewhere.

“I spoke to the minister, who said he put a team in place to quickly do this implementation as part of the policy we are introducing, which is to improve upon the systems we have, so this is not only geared towards the Ridge Hospital but to other hospitals across the country.”

“When you look at the recommendation, we mentioned that this should look at other facilities; the recommendations, even though it is for Ridge, these things are happening in other hospitals…. so it is a recommendation the minister has taken seriously,” he added.

The decision follows a recent violent attack at Ridge Hospital, which raised serious concerns about security, staff welfare and access to healthcare services at state health institutions.

Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Jefferson Asare, has challenged aspects of the ministerial committee’s findings on the alleged assault of a nurse at the Ridge Hospital, insisting that the official medical diagnosis recorded was polycontusion.

Read also: GRNMA raises credibility issues with Ridge assault probe

Bail for drug offenders frustrating law enforcement – Top cop reveals

A top police officer has revealed that Ghana’s current bail system for drug possession cases is a significant obstacle in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

According to Chief Superintendent Dr. (Med) Birgit Nuro-Panin, Head of the Psychiatry Department at the Police Hospital, the ability for suspects to be bailed so quickly allows them to evade further investigation and prosecution, undermining police efforts to dismantle drug networks.

Speaking at a JoyNews dialogue titled “Breaking the Chains: Ghana’s Opioid Crisis,” Dr. Nuro-Panin explained that the quick release of suspects poses a major challenge to law enforcement.

“Once you pick someone up, once they are able to go back into their community, they are able to hide better because we are not tracking the person that we’ve picked up,” she said.

She elaborated that police rely on information and intelligence gathered during an arrest to conduct “bigger drug sweeps” and trace the supply chain.

However, with suspects often bailed within an hour, this window of opportunity is lost.

“By the time you get your necessary intelligence, they’ve gone underground,” she lamented.

The police officer also emphasised the critical role of evidence in successful prosecutions, which becomes difficult to secure when the primary source of intelligence disappears.

“It’s not a matter of, oh yeah, we caught this person and they said person A or person B is a distributor or an importer. So with the lack of evidence, it becomes more difficult to prosecute,” she added.

Dr. Nuro-Panin’s comments shed light on one of the key systemic challenges in combating Ghana’s escalating drug problem.

Recent data from the Narcotic Control Board reveals a concerning trend, with 50,000 drug users in Ghana, of which 35,000 are students aged between 12 and 35.

The most commonly abused opioids include Tramadol, as well as the more potent and illicitly imported Tapentadol and Carisoprodol.

Government and regulatory bodies like the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) have ramped up efforts to combat the crisis, including the reclassification of Tramadol as a controlled substance and the destruction of large consignments of illegal opioids at the borders.

A joint task force involving the FDA, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and Customs has also been established to tighten border controls and conduct raids on illicit drug operations.

However, the police’s struggle with the bail system highlights a crucial gap in the country’s multifaceted approach.

While other agencies focus on supply reduction and public awareness, the ability of law enforcement to effectively prosecute offenders is being hampered by legal provisions that, while intended to protect individual rights, are inadvertently frustrating the fight against drug crime.

The challenges raised by Dr. Nuro-Panin underscore the need for a comprehensive review of legal frameworks to better support the efforts of security agencies in tackling the nation’s drug crisis.

Ridge Hospital equipment breakdown blamed for treatment delays in assault probe

The committee investigating the recent incident at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) has revealed that none of the hospital’s key diagnostic imaging machines were functional at the time.

This development is said to have caused treatment delays and contributed to public frustration.

The findings, presented to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, noted that the Emergency Department’s X-ray, CT scan, and MRI machines were all out of service when the alleged assault on a nurse occurred on August 17, 2025.

Although the committee confirmed there was no delay in initially attending to the patient with a suspected head injury, it said subsequent referrals outside the facility for imaging severely slowed care.

“The unavailability of diagnostic equipment meant tests had to be conducted outside GARH, leading to delays in treatment and heightening tensions among those present,” the report stated.

The situation at the Emergency Department, already operating at near full capacity daily, has further strained healthcare delivery, as Ridge has become the primary referral point following the closure of the La General Hospital.

As part of its recommendations, the committee urged the Ministry of Health to immediately repair or replace all non-functional imaging equipment at Ridge Hospital, stressing that the lack of basic diagnostic support undermines emergency care and erodes public confidence in the facility.

Meanwhile, the committee also concluded that there is no medical evidence to support claims that Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, a rotation nurse at the facility, sustained a shoulder dislocation during the incident.

The nurse had complained about fractures in her wrist and a dislocation in her shoulder joint.

Rejoice Tsotso Bortei subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against social media personality Ralph Saint Williams, seeking GHs7 million in damages for alleged physical assault and defamation linked to the incident.

• Read also: Ridge Hospital nurse sues social media activist Ralph Saint Williams for GH₵7m over assault and defamation

Explaining the findings, the Committee Chairman, Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, revealed that the nurse reported her injuries on August 18, a day after the alleged assault.

But medical assessment, however, revealed “There was no evidence of fracture on her left wrist or dislocation of her right shoulder joint as documented by the medical records.”

The report confirmed that the nurse was treated, provided with pain relief medication, and advised to rest.

She was also placed under psychological support care to aid her recovery.

In her lawsuit, the nurse stated that in the course of treating other patients, she was struck by Mr. Williams with a clenched fist and a metallic cellphone before being attacked by the activist and his alleged followers.

She suffered injuries to her arm, shoulder, waist, and other parts of her body and has since been experiencing chest pains, severe headaches, and trauma, including panic attacks.

Ms. Bortei further accused Mr. Williams of later publishing a live video in which he called her a liar and claimed she had fabricated her injuries to “cover the nonsense going on at the hospital.”

She argues that the comments damaged her reputation as a professional nurse, casting her as untrustworthy and unfit to practice.

Beyond damages, the plaintiff is also seeking a court order compelling Mr. Williams to issue a public retraction and apology, an injunction restraining him from publishing further defamatory statements, and another injunction preventing him from coming within 50 meters of her.

Ridge Hospital staff didn’t delay care, broken equipment caused treatment delays – Committee

The committee investigating the August 17, 2025, incident at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH), popularly known as Ridge Hospital, has concluded that there was no delay in providing initial emergency care to the patient at the centre of a widely publicised confrontation.

The probe, however, uncovered that all major diagnostic imaging equipment, including the X-ray, CT scan, and MRI machines, at the hospital’s Emergency Department was non-functional at the time of the incident, forcing critical tests to be conducted at external facilities and fueling public frustration.

No Delay in Emergency Response

According to the committee’s report presented to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, medical staff promptly attended to the patient with a suspected head injury upon arrival at the Emergency Department. This directly contradicts claims circulating on social media that alleged neglect by hospital staff led to the altercation.

“Clinical care commenced without delay,” the report stated. “The treatment process was, however, hampered by the unavailability of functioning diagnostic imaging equipment on-site.”

Equipment Failures Blamed for Treatment Delays

The absence of operational X-ray, CT scan, and MRI facilities significantly prolonged the patient’s treatment timeline. The report noted that the patient had to be referred to external facilities for diagnostic services, a common occurrence that has long frustrated patients and caregivers at Ridge Hospital.

The committee said the breakdown of these essential machines undermined public confidence in the facility and contributed to tensions on the day of the incident.

No Proof of Physical Assault

Despite viral videos suggesting a violent confrontation, the committee found no evidence of a physical assault against Ms. Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, a rotation nurse who claimed to have been attacked. Video evidence only confirmed a heated verbal exchange involving Mr Ralph St. Williams, a group of riders, and hospital staff.

Ms. Bortei later reported pain in her left hand but medical examinations revealed no fractures or dislocations. She has since received pain relief and psychological support.

Security and Staffing Shortcomings Exposed

Beyond the incident itself, the committee’s findings painted a troubling picture of the hospital’s preparedness for emergencies:

Inadequate Security: Only one private security officer was assigned per 12-hour shift at the Emergency Department, a setup the committee described as “grossly inadequate.” Although there is a police post on the premises, it is far from the ED, resulting in slow response times during disturbances.

Severe Staff Shortages: The Emergency Department operated with just one medical officer per shift in August, supported by only seven medical officers and two specialists for the entire month. Out of 88 nurses expected, only 54 were available, with 34 having vacated their posts without replacements.

Overstretched Facility: The ED operated at nearly full capacity round-the-clock, handling most trauma and acute medical cases in Accra, a situation worsened by the absence of a functioning hospital in La.

Recommendations for Reform

The committee made several recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, including:

1. Increasing security personnel and deploying police support during peak hours.

2. Expanding CCTV surveillance at the ED for improved monitoring.

3. Recruiting additional medical and administrative staff dedicated to emergency care.

4. Repairing or replacing all non-functional diagnostic equipment.

5. Strengthening emergency care systems nationwide and ensuring adherence to treatment protocols.

Mr. St. Williams Responds

Mr. Ralph St. Williams, the man whose confrontation with hospital staff sparked the incident, denied physically assaulting anyone. In a written statement and video submissions, he claimed his actions were driven by frustrations over systemic delays rather than personal animosity.

He admitted being “provoked by comments made by a nurse” but maintained that his live-streamed videos were intended to expose service delivery gaps.

A Wake-Up Call for the Health Sector

The Health Minister is expected to review the recommendations for immediate action. The committee stressed that while Ridge Hospital’s staff acted professionally during the incident, systemic failings, especially in equipment and staffing, remain a critical threat to emergency care delivery in Ghana.

Below is the full report:

Full report: Ridge assault investigative committee submits findings to health minister

The Ridge Assault Investigative Committee has handed over its report to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh concerning the incident that occurred on 17th August, 2025, at the Emergency Department of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH).

The incident, which involved alleged delays in treating a critically injured patient, escalated into verbal aggression and the assault of a nurse, prompting management to call in the Ghana Police Service to restore order.

The episode drew significant public outrage after video footage of the alleged assault spread rapidly online.

Below are the key findings outlined by the committee:

6 major highlights as Ridge Hospital assault probe exposes staff shortages, faulty equipment, others

The Ministry of Health’s investigative committee has released its findings on the alleged assault incident at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) on August 17, 2025.

The report highlights systemic failings in security, staffing, and infrastructure at the facility’s Emergency Department.

Key Findings:

No Delay in Emergency Care

The committee established that there was no delay in attending to the accident victim who sparked the altercation. However, all imaging equipment, X-ray, CT scan, and MRI, were non-functional, forcing tests to be conducted outside the hospital. This contributed to treatment delays and heightened public frustration.

No Evidence of Physical Assault

While video evidence confirmed a heated verbal altercation between Mr. Ralph St. Williams, some riders, and hospital staff, there was no confirmed video or eyewitness evidence of physical assault. The nurse at the center of the claim, Ms. Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, later reported pain in her hand, but medical records showed no fractures or dislocations. She received pain relief and psychological support.

Inadequate Security

Security at the Emergency Department was described as “grossly inadequate.” Only one private security guard was on duty per 12-hour shift despite the department’s heavy traffic. The hospital’s police post is located far from the Emergency Department, often causing delays in responding to incidents.

Severe Staff Shortages

In August 2025, only one medical officer per shift was stationed at the Emergency Department. A total of just seven medical officers and two specialists were available for the entire month. Out of 88 nursing staff, only 54 were present, with 34 having vacated their posts without replacement.

Emergency Department Overstretched

The hospital’s Emergency Department operates at almost 100% bed occupancy at all times and is the primary destination for trauma and acute medical cases across Greater Accra. The closure of facilities in La has worsened the pressure on Ridge.

Mr. Ralph St. Williams’ Position

Mr. St. Williams denied physically attacking staff. He admitted being provoked by a nurse’s remarks and explained that his video recordings, including Facebook Live footage, were intended to highlight systemic delays and not to target patients.

Recommendations:

The committee proposed urgent reforms, including:

• Increasing security and CCTV coverage at the Emergency Department.
• Recruiting additional doctors, nurses, and administrative officers dedicated to emergency care.
• Restoring critical imaging services (X-ray, CT scan, MRI) at Ridge.
• Nationwide reforms to strengthen emergency care, expand secondary-level hospitals, and improve public education on emergency department operations.

Conclusion:
The committee stressed that unless urgent steps are taken to improve security, staffing, and infrastructure, similar incidents could recur at Ridge and other hospitals nationwide

Ridge Hospital saga: Nurse’s reputation now at stake – Nii Lante Vanderpuye

The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has criticised the nurse at the centre of the recent Ridge Hospital assault case, following findings by a committee set up to investigate the incident.

Read also: GRNMA raises credibility issues with Ridge assault probe

The committee’s report revealed that, contrary to earlier claims by the nurse and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), there was no shoulder dislocation or fracture as alleged.

Reacting to the outcome on Channel One TV on Thursday, August 28, Mr Vanderpuye said the nurse’s credibility and professional reputation were now at stake.

“In this incident, your whole profession as a health professional is at stake. I wonder how people will see her within the space and which institutions will want to work with her because her head of department is saying something contrary to what she said.”

He further argued that the nurse mishandled the matter by pursuing it personally rather than allowing her institution to take responsibility.

“I think that the lady nurse has also put herself so much into the whole controversy.”

“The first person you will report to is your head of department. In this situation, if she had reported to the head of department and the management, Ridge Hospital as an institution would take up this fight,” he explained.

Mr Vanderpuye also criticised her for taking the matter to the GRNMA instead of her place of work, the Ridge Hospital.

“The association (GRNMA) she belongs to should not be the maiden institution that should be fighting this. You can’t run to your association and leave your main department (Ridge Hospital),” he insisted.