The Upper West Regional office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is calling for harsher penalties for offenders involved in the illegal sale and abuse of Tramadol and other unregistered drugs.
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At a drug abuse sensitization programme held on July 18 by Aware Minds Foundation for basic school pupils, Regional Director Sankpal Dafaari Kelvin criticized Ghana’s current legal framework for being too lenient to deter drug offenders.
He cited a recent FDA raid on May 30 in Nabulo, Sissala East, where officers discovered a shop selling only unregistered medicines, including the highly dangerous Tramadol 500mg, known locally as “the red.” Under Ghanaian law, only Tramadol up to 100mg is legally permitted.
Kelvin revealed the operation nearly turned violent when residents attempted to retaliate the following day. The situation was de-escalated through the intervention of the Upper West Regional Minister and the police, leading to the suspect’s arrest and transfer to Wa.
The suspect was charged under Section 118 of the Public Health Act, which prohibits the sale of unregistered drugs. While the law provides for a prison term or a fine of up to 1,500 penalty units, the suspect received a fine of just 160 units (GH¢1,920).
“I spent GH¢6,950 on fuel, accommodation, and logistics for that single operation,” Kelvin lamented. “Is this judgment fair? If I decide not to fight Tramadol again, am I wrong?”
He urged authorities to revise sentencing guidelines to reflect the seriousness of drug abuse and the risks posed to public health, especially among the youth.
