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Addiction counsellor advises youth… Stay away from alcohol, it can ruin your life
Don Richie looked older at 45 years and battling alcoholism (left) than at 50 and overcoming it
When Richard Nii Adjei Otchwemah decided to celebrate his completion of secondary school with alcoholic drinks, little did he know it was going to be the beginning of a long battle with alcoholism for almost 30 years of his life.
‘The Don’ or ‘Don Richie,’ as he was called, because he was always the boss and leader of most activities among his friends, recalled that after their final exam, he and some of his friends decided to do something adventurous to celebrate completion of that level of education.
“Right at the gate of the school, someone was selling palm wine and so we had a good taste of it,” Mr Otchwemah, who is now an Addiction Counsellor disclosed this in an interview with The Spectator on the sidelines of an occasion to celebrate persons who had recovered from substance abuse at the House of St. Francis Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Ashaiman.
He said while waiting for his results, he was taken out regularly by a friend to have a bottle or two of beer.
“Drinking alcohol was not a habit until after Sixth Form when I was posted to a remote village to do my National Service. It was without electricity and water. The food was also bad so the only thing providing us with joy was hard liquor (akpeteshie), which was providing the ‘appetite’ to enjoy the meal” he narrated.
“But at home, I could eat without the alcohol as appetite because the food was good.”
He said after his graduation from University, he got married and was still drinking, recalling how he took his wife to drink.
That continued after marriage as his crave for alcohol became persistent while his wife became concerned and started expressing her displeasure about it.
Mr Otchwemah stated that in the process, he lost his influence on his family and community which previously considered him as a role model and very responsible person.
As if that was not enough, alcoholism affected him greatly when pursuing a Master’s programme. He struggled to study and procrastinated on things to do.
Consequently, he felt his life was moving backwards and begin to lose his friends, family and even his job because he sometimes missed some days at work due to drinking.
The Addiction Counsellor said he spent almost all his time at drinking bars and preferred to be with like-minded people in order not to be discriminated upon.
In the process, he sometimes found himself on the wrong side of the law due to excessive drinking and also sustained various degrees of injuries from falls or fights caused by his drinking habit.
The turning point for him was when some old friends who had shown him so much love and respect over the years spoke to him passionately about the developments in his life and the need for him to get help.
He noted that there was an earlier attempt by some family members to get him to seek help from a rehabilitation centre but he returned home after a month and started drinking again.
According to him, that attempt did not work because he had gone there out of frustration due to the pressure from his friends and a desire to make them happy.
The 50-year old narrated that the approach by his friends did not sound manipulative and so in August 2019, he decided to seek professional help from the House of St. Francis.
“And to the glory of God, I am back to my old self. The last month of August was exactly five since I tasted alcohol. I communicate well and I am polite with people. I say sorry when I offend them and also communicate well if I have concerns about issues without resorting to alcohol. I have not taken alcohol for five years and the good news is that I am helping others to do same,” he said.
He says it was important for society to treat persons battling addiction of any form with love and respect.
“Such people must be treated with respect. If possible, such people should be referred to persons who they respect and have a lot of regard for, because the process is all about conviction.”
He says after recovery, those who helped them should not use the roles they played as an opportunity to manipulate, blackmail or disrespect them otherwise they might relapse out of frustration.
The Addiction Counsellor appealed to the Ministry for Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to vigorously start a campaign to get students in the Junior and Senior High Schools to be educated on the dangers of alcohol.
He noted that the focus had over the years been on drugs and weed to the neglect of alcohol which is also destructive to its users.
For the youth, the best advice he could offer them was to abstain from alcohol because it has the potential to destroy them.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Ashaiman
When the world’s eyes turn to the King’s Baton on its global journey, one of Ghana’s most profound artistic stories travels with it. It will be a story of creativity, culture, and national pride crafted by Albert Litela Obidiaba.
From the quiet town of Old Baika in the Oti Region, Albert’s journey as an artist has always been about telling stories. It is not just through words, but through symbols, textures, and meaning.
“From a young age, I was drawn to the power of art, knowing how colours and textures can capture not just emotion but culture and identity,” he recalls.
Today, his name has become synonymous with innovation rooted in traditional bridge between Ghana’s past and its global creative future.
Albert’s love for art was born from curiosity. Surrounded by the vibrancy of Ghanaian culture; the patterns of kente, the stories behind Adinkra symbols, and the textures of daily life, he began sketching and crafting early on.
“Simple things told deep stories,” he says. “That fascinated me.”
As he matured, his art evolved into a personal mission to preserve and reinterpret Ghana’s heritage for a modern audience. His style reflects a seamless blend of culture and contemporary design, each piece a narrative of unity, history, and pride.
“I see art as storytelling through form and symbolism, it should feel rooted in purpose yet speak to today’s world,” he explains.
When the call came to design Ghana’s version of the King’s Baton, Albert saw it as both a national duty and a creative calling.
Recommended by mentors like Mr Charles Osei Asibey, who trusted his talent and understanding of Ghanaian symbolism, he embraced the project wholeheartedly.
His vision was clear; to create a piece that would embody unity, pride, and the enduring spirit of Ghana.
Drawing from traditional motifs, he integrated textures inspired by kente weaving, representing hard work, continuity, and creativity. The golden tones symbolise strength and dignity, while the contours and natural motifs mirror Ghana’s landscapes and people.
“The King’s Baton had to tell our story of who we are, what we value, and how we see the world, it is more than art, it is identity in motion,” he said.
Every etch, every pattern carries meaning. From concept to completion, the entire process took three intense weeks which were filled with research, design sketches, consultation, and collaboration with skilled artisans.
“It was days and nights of work, but a lifetime of meaning,” he says with quiet pride.
Creating a design that represents all of Ghana’s diverse cultures was no small feat. Albert had to balance aesthetics, authenticity, and technology thereby using sustainable wood, carefully treated and certified, to reflect the nation’s commitment to nature and preservation.
“It wasn’t easy finding the right mix,” he admits. “But those challenges pushed me to think deeper. They made the final piece stronger — both artistically and symbolically.”
For Albert, Ghanaian culture is both muse and message. His works echo the values of unity, strength, persistence, and wisdom, drawn from Ghana’s traditions.
“Art preserves who we are and every line and symbol tells a story of belonging,” he said, and believes art is one of the most powerful tools for building national pride.
Designing the King’s Baton has been a defining moment in his creative journey and that it deepened his appreciation for cultural storytelling. “It taught me that creativity is also a form of service,” he said.
The experience has opened new professional doors, but more importantly, it gave him a renewed sense of purpose making him embrace a call to national duty.
“My soul will be glad even after my days on earth are over,” he said beaming with smiles.
Beyond the King’s Baton, Albert has worked on numerous projects celebrating Ghanaian identity through contemporary art and design. His ongoing works explore symbolism and heritage in new forms which includes blending materials, stories, and styles from across Ghana’s regions.
He is currently preparing projects that continue the conversation the baton began. They are about unity, creativity, and Africa’s evolving artistic voice.
To young artists aspiring to make their mark, Albert’s advice is for them to believe deeply in their craft and that the world is always looking for authenticity “which comes from knowing who you are and where you come from.”
On how he wants to be remembered, he said, “I want to be remembered as an artist who used creativity to celebrate culture and connect people. If my name is remembered as the one who designed Ghana’s version of the King’s Baton, that will be enough, because it means I carried Ghana in my hands, and shared her with the world.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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A ‘trotro’ bus heading to Nsawam was filled with the usual sounds from conversations, music, and sometimes a preacher delivering a message.
But when Margaret Odame Donkor rises to speak, she does not preach salvation or sell herbal remedies. Instead, she shares her journey as a breast cancer survivor, urging passengers to examine their breasts regularly, seek medical help early, and never lose hope.
Her pulpit is not a church, but the crowded minibuses of Ghana’s public transport system. Her message is not about repentance, but about survival.
She urges women to check their breasts regularly, encourages men to support their wives during health challenges, and reassures everyone listening that a cancer diagnosis is not the end of life.
For Margaret, creating awareness is more than a duty-it is a calling born out of personal pain, fear, and triumph.
Her words carried weight because they come from lived experience.
At age 48, Margaret has walked through the valley of fear and pain, battled stage three invasive carcinoma, and emerged not just a survivor but an advocate determined to educate others.
Cancer journey
Margaret’s encounter with breast cancer stretches back decades. At 22, she discovered a lump in her left breast. It was removed and declared benign. Relieved, she skipped regular checks and moved on. Then in 2021, the lump reappeared—this time spreading toward her armpit.
At a church screening in October 2022, doctors detected suspicious lymph nodes. Further tests confirmed her worst fear: stage three invasive carcinoma.
“It wasn’t easy,” she recalls softly. “But my faith in God kept me strong. My husband, children, family, friends, and colleagues formed an army behind me. Their prayers, visits, and encouragement gave me the courage to fight.”
“Be grateful every day because you never know what tomorrow may bring. No one has it all, but with love and support, you can endure,” she stated.
Her greatest fear remains recurrence and not living long enough to see her children graduate and become the people she dreams for them to be.
Before cancer disrupted her life, Margaret had found purpose in interpretation. In 2020, a friend spotted a Judicial Service vacancy and encouraged her to apply. After years of unsuccessful attempts at government jobs, she was reluctant, but she tried once more. This time, she succeeded and was posted to the Eastern Region, her home.
Today, she works at the Nsawam District Court, one of the busiest in the area. On a typical day, she arrives at 7:30am, prepares dockets, and confers with magistrates. She interprets proceedings in Twi, Ga, Hausa, and occasionally Ewe, ensuring that justice was accessible to all.
Her role is demanding. Cross-examinations require her to switch quickly between English and local dialects, while marriages often call for interpreting vows in couples’ preferred languages. Still, she thrives. “The registrars and magistrates I’ve worked with have been amazing. They make the environment very comfortable,” she stated.
Beyond the courtroom, Margaret is also an entrepreneur. In 2017, she founded Nubreed Décor, an events decoration business born from her childhood love for beautifying spaces. She recalls cutting paper decorations as a child and helping her cousin rent out chairs and decorate venues.
Balancing décor with court work was tough, and her health struggles after surgery made it even harder. Radiation left her with persistent rib pain, forcing her to slow down. “Now I hire more hands, which makes business expensive, but it helps me achieve my goals,” she explained.
Her biggest challenge as an entrepreneur remains finance. “The event industry is huge, but I have to work at my own pace and focus on my niche,” she admited.
Cancer changed how Margaret values people and relationships. She learned that those you least expect often become your strongest supporters. She urges families to stand by patients with prayers, encouragement, and financial support, reminding society that a cancer diagnosis is not the end of life.
Her advocacy extends beyond awareness talks. She dreams of establishing a counselling centre for young people and hopes Ghana will expand access to mammograms and radiotherapy centres. “Every patient deserves a chance at survival,” she said firmly.
She urged the youth to live peacefully and be their brother’s keeper, learn to be content and rely on God.
To women, she asserted that, “love yourselves and make breast checks routine while calling on Ghanaians to be open-minded, avoid being judgmental, and show love.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
