Accra, Ghana – April 4, 2025
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana has reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting public health through the safe disposal of a large consignment of unregistered, high-strength opioids that were illegally imported into the country.
The disposal exercise, which followed a successful joint inspection and seizure operation on March 14, 2025, was carried out after the FDA secured a court order . The consignment, which had been falsely designated for transit, included powerful opioids not registered for use in Ghana.
The Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Dr. Delese Darko emphasized the severe health dangers posed by these unregulated substances and reiterated the Authority’s commitment to strict enforcement.
“These drugs pose a significant danger to public health. Immediate effects include confusion, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), hypertension, or even hypotension,” Dr. Darko stated. “Users may experience hallucinations—such as imagining threats like a lion in their presence. Prolonged use can lead to depression, addiction, and ultimately, death.”
She assured the public that the FDA has implemented strict policies to control opioid imports, including a directive banning the importation of Tramadol above 100mg. Despite these measures, illegal sales continue to surface, particularly in parts of Accra and the Northern Regions, where the drugs are often sold in strips.
“When such activities are detected, we take swift action to seize and destroy the products,” Dr. Darko affirmed.
The seizure was carried out in partnership with key government agencies including the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), National Security, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
Dr. Darko highlighted the challenges of regulating transit consignments, which are typically protected under international customs conventions. However, strategic collaboration enabled authorities to intercept this shipment and obtain legal authorization for its safe disposal.
“This shipment, like several others before it, was marked for transit. Under normal customs protocols, such consignments are off-limits for inspection. Nonetheless, through coordinated efforts, we secured a court order from the Tamale. Last year, NACOC, achieved a similar milestone, underscoring the importance of stricter enforcement in this sector. The illicit opioid consignment disposed off included:
- 10 cartons of Rahol Tapentadol (250mg)
- 128 cartons of Tafradol Tapentadol (120mg)
- 92 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol (120mg & 250mg)
Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who witnessed the disposal process, commended the collaborative effort and reiterated the government’s stance on drug safety. “This is the only way we can safeguard our country from the devastating effects of these unregulated drugs’’. Our work, however, does not end here. “We will further investigate and interrogate the client agent and importer. Our information indicates the importer is not Ghanaian, and the consignment was being transported to Niger. He added that the government is engaging with Niger’s authorities to determine whether such shipments are permissible in their jurisdiction.
Dr. Darko assured the public that the FDA remains resolute in its efforts to intercept and eliminate illegal drug imports that pose risks to public health and safety. She further emphasized that investigations are ongoing to identify the culprits responsible for the attempted importation of the opioids.
“The FDA remain vigilant and steadfast in our mission to protect Ghanaians from the dangers of unregulated pharmaceuticals. “We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that such substances do not circulate in our communities,” she concluded.
