Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has described the growing misuse of opioids in Ghana as a national emergency and called on the country’s newest pharmacists to rise to the challenge of tackling the crisis at the community level.
Hon. Akandoh emphasized the urgency of the issue. “Opioid abuse is not just a public health issue; it is a national emergency,” he declared at an induction ceremony organized by the Pharmacy Council of Ghana.
The ceremony, themed “The Future is Now: Young Pharmacists at the Forefront of Preventing Opioid Misuse in Ghana,” marked the formal entry of a new cohort of pharmacists into the profession.
Congratulating the inductees, the Minister said, “You have reached a major milestone through dedication, hard work, and perseverance.”
He underscored the critical role pharmacists play in Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.
“Pharmacists are frontline healthcare providers, educators, patient advocates, and guardians of public health.
“Your work directly affects health outcomes and the well-being of our communities,” Hon. Akandoh stated.
Highlighting the government’s broader health agenda, he urged the new professionals to support flagship initiatives such as MahamaCares and the Free Primary Health Care programme.
“The success of policies such as MahamaCares and the Free Primary Health Care programme depends heavily on your ability to deliver quality and accessible healthcare,” he noted.
“You are central to managing chronic illnesses at the community level and ensuring these policies make real impact.”
