Ghanaian authorities have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking, seizing an estimated GH₵20 million worth of opioids at the Tema Port. The seizure, which was led by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), uncovered a large shipment containing various opioid medications, including Tapentadol, Loperamide, and Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
The container, which was bound for Niger, used Ghana as a transit point, raising concerns over the country’s growing role as a hub for illicit drug smuggling. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during a press briefing, assured the public that the government is determined to prevent Ghana from becoming a safe haven for such illegal activities.
Minister Akandoh emphasized that the president is personally involved in the matter, indicating the government’s strong stance on tackling the issue. The government is also working to strengthen regulations and monitoring systems at major ports to ensure such trafficking activities are thwarted.
While Ghana has not yet faced an opioid crisis comparable to the United States, experts are increasingly worried about the rise in opioid misuse and trafficking within West Africa.
