On the 19th May 2022 at the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Accra – Ghana, GhanAPA organized a National Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Mental Health. The forum brought together all relevant stakeholders in the field of mental health and to look at strategies to the reductions of the use of Alcohol and Drugs as being the major risk factors. The meeting brought together experts from the Narcotic Control Authority (NACA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mental Health Authority (MHA), District Assemblies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Students, Chiefs and Opinion Leaders. FDA, MHA, NACA and GhanAPA. made some presentations on the dangers and effect of Alcohol and drugs on mental health.
Dr. Yennusom Maalug, a psychiatric at the Pantang Mental Hospital represented the MHA and spoke on the theme: The negative impact of alcohol use on mental health. Mr. Patrick Agyepong of NACA, made a presentation on the theme: The role of alcohol and drug control in the prevention of illicit drug abuse in Ghana. Mr. Kofi Essel of FDA spoke on the theme: The role of legislation in the control and prevention of alcohol use and the progress made in Ghana.
At the end of the forum, the general recommendations made was to intensify the awareness creation on alcohol, drugs and mental health, to form a committee from the stakeholders to engage in community sensitization in the district assemblies and develop campaign materials on alcohol, drugs and mental health.