Catholic Bishops Call for Tougher Action Against Tramadol, Marijuana Abuse

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for stronger measures to tackle the widespread abuse of tramadol, marijuana and other readily accessible drugs in the country.

The Bishops say the growing use of these substances is having a devastating impact on young people and requires urgent attention as part of Ghana’s broader fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, said the national response to the drug menace must go beyond high-profile narcotics such as cocaine.

Speaking to Citi News, he noted that substances such as tramadol, marijuana, “Red” and other drugs are more readily available to young people in communities.

“In our villages and towns, we know the young men and women have taken to drugs—tramadol, ‘Red’, marijuana—and this is destroying many, many young men and women,” he said.

Most Rev. Gyamfi stressed that authorities must recognise the scale of abuse involving easily accessible substances and take decisive action to curb their availability.

He called for stronger laws and enforcement measures to restrict the importation and illegal sale of such drugs.

“They should make laws to ban the importation of these drugs and ensure that they are cleared away from the shelves,” he said.

The Bishops’ Conference is also urging authorities to strengthen prevention and education programmes aimed at protecting young people from substance abuse.