Why is Substance Abuse in Ghana Such a Widespread Problem?

Drug and alcohol abuse in Ghana is prevalent and devastating in terms of loss of life and the knock-on effect on societies. In this article, we’ll look at some of the reasons that substance abuse in Ghana is such a widespread problem. 

The West African country of Ghana has a population of around 31 million people, and is known for its lush forests and diverse wildlife. However, despite this amazing scenery, there is an epidemic that plagues the country; its widespread substance abuse problems.

Drug cultivation and distribution in Ghana is a relatively recent problem, in comparison to other countries. So, for those charged with being concerned in the production of drugs, they are joined by a select few people in the country who make a living from this industry.

With this drug production must come an abuse of drugs by people. The question is, how widespread is the drug problem in Ghana, and what are the reasons behind this use of drugs? We posit some potential answers, here…

The Stats Behind Drugs in Ghana

A 2019 report revealed that around 10 percent of inpatient cases at state funded psychiatric hospitals – and up to 30 percent of outpatient cases – were linked to substance abuse. These alarming figures are expected to rise within the next 12 months.

Substance abuse within Ghana results in around 542 deaths every year – making up 0.27 percent of the country’s overall deaths. A significant number of these deaths are attributed to Tramadol, a super strength painkiller designed to treat serious illnesses and injuries.

The reasons for the substance abuse problems in Ghana are many-fold and, here, we’ll examine some of the factors which contribute to this deadly issue.

6 Reasons Why Substance Abuse in Ghana is Widespread

Lack of regulation

Unlike many other countries, Ghana’s lack of regulations over drugs such as Tramadol means that these substances are more widely available than they should be. It’s relatively easy to ship drugs into Ghana, and this is often done in broad daylight with canoes used to ship drugs from South America straight into Accra.

Adding to the problem is the fact that Ghana’s policy on illegal drugs tends to blame the user rather than the seller. This means that drug users are arrested rather than being offered help. In the meantime, authorities have little interest in going after those charged with being concerned in the production of drugs who are perpetuating the problem.

Photo by Nathaniel Tetteh

Poverty

While it may be a cliche, poverty and unemployment play a big part in Ghana’s drug abuse problem, with many people stating that the hopelessness of their situation was the trigger for their descent into drug addiction. In 2021, the international poverty rate in Ghana stood at a staggering 11 percent, with unemployment at around 4.53 percent.

There’s very little doubt that these figures are a major factor when it comes to the levels of substance abuse, particularly for young people. Unfortunately, when it comes to the drug trade in Ghana, the only people who profit are those charged with drug production.

Peer pressure

As with most societies, a lot of Ghana’s problems arise from peer pressure – particularly among students at colleges and universities where alcohol is widely advertised. Although Ghana has launched a number of educational initiatives in recent years in terms of drug and alcohol abuse, the mixed messaging from glamorous alcohol advertising means that young people remain a large part of Ghana’s substance problem. A form of peer pressure also comes from families whereby drugs and alcohol have simply been part of a child’s life from birth.

Religion

The population of Ghana is made up of a number of different religions, including Christianity, and many of these religions forbid or discourage the use of drugs and alcohol. For example, Christianity does not forbid alcohol but frowns on drunkenness.

A problem arises in the fact that some extreme religions in Ghana promote the use of drugs, such as hash and peyote as a tool with which to achieve a heightened spiritual state. This can lead to huge problems with young people who associate their religious rulings as set in stone.

Ignorance

Another common factor when it comes to substance abuse is simple ignorance. While those brought up in Ghana’s cities, such as Accra and Kumasi, are likely to be aware of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, those from smaller towns and villages do not have access to the same educational materials as city dwellers. Often, people from villages will travel to larger towns to find work, only to find themselves being offered illegal drugs within hours of their arrival, and addiction quickly follows.

Cost of treatment

One of the most harmful factors – and one which exacerbates the issues – is that of the cost of substance abuse treatment. For some, it is simply beyond the means of most people in Ghana. This tends to lead to a vicious cycle whereby the user spirals further and further into addiction and debt due to the fact that they can see no other viable way out.

Photo by Jay Martin

Looking to the Future of Drug Abuse in Ghana

Substance abuse in Ghana is rapidly approaching pandemic levels and, unfortunately, many more lives will be lost to this issue, destroying families and corroding societies. With a lack of governmental help, many feel that the answer to the problem lies first within families. As is customary with other kinds of education, it’s felt that family elders should be educating children as to the dangers of abuse.

However, this becomes less straightforward when the elders themselves are involved with drugs. Others feel that schools need to be doing more to educate about the dangers, however, only around 39 percent of children of secondary school age actually attend school in Ghana.

As with so many other things, it may come down to the internet and the media to turn around Ghana’s substance abuse problems by educating the youth.