News
Tramadol abuse among youth reaches alarming height …FDA, Nat’l Security urged to act
A Reverend Father and Clinical Psychologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital, Dr Isaac Acheampong Sarfo, has warned that the youth, representing Ghana future workforce, could be crippled if nothing is done about the growing abuse of Tramadol.
He said the abuse of the drug has assumed levels that requires an urgent need for collective action to curb it, cautioning that if it was left unchecked, it could cripple the country’s future workforce and derail national development.
What is more worrying now, he stated, was the fact that the drug Tramadol, originally prescribed as a painkiller, is being processed into cakes, drinks, and toffees, making it more accessible and discreet to consume.
In an interview with The Spectator, Rev. Dr Sarfo explained that the drug’s addictive potential was high, whether prescribed or not, because it caused the release of dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and calmness.
“It seems as though we’re asleep while the future of our nation is quietly being destroyed. If we don’t act now, these young people will be unable to shoulder future responsibilities, and the entire nation will suffer,” he lamented.
Tramadol has become a drug of choice for a section of the youth for its euphoric and mood-enhancing effects due to its interaction with opioid receptors in the brain.
He explained that over time, users build a tolerance and required higher doses, risking overdose and dependence, alerting that continuous use could overwhelm the nervous system, leading to life-threatening conditions.
Common signs among abusers includes mood swings, emotional instability, hallucinations, depression, and withdrawal from family and social circles.
Abusers also engaged in risky behaviours and suffer from cognitive issues like poor concentration, confusion, and slower reaction times.
“Tramadol abuse can also impact the development of adolescent brains, especially in areas tied to judgment, impulse control, and decision-making. It consequences include academic failure, poor memory, and social maladjustment,” he stated.
Dr Sarfo, who is also the Director of Counselling at the Koforidua Technical University, warned that the healthcare system could become overwhelmed, with rising cases of addiction and mental health challenges.
To tackle this crisis, Dr Sarfo called for a multi-sectoral approach and urged the government, particularly the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and National Security to intensify efforts to stem the import and distribution of the drug as well as sales points.
He also appealed to religious leaders to speak out against drug abuse with compassion, and for parents to be more attentive and involved in their children’s lives.
Furthermore, Dr Sarfo called for the establishment of active youth centres that can provide guidance and resources to tackle some of these societal problems.
He advised the youth to engage in important things that could guarantee them a brighter future and disengage from Tramadol abuse which offered no benefit but only led to misery and loss of purpose.
He urged those already affected to seek counselling and rehabilitation, urging all stakeholders work together to save the nation’s future.
By Ama Tekyiwaa
Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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