Ashanti Region Sees Sharp Rise in Acute Psychosis Cases as Health Director Calls for End to Addiction Stigma

The Ashanti Region has recorded a significant 30% increase in acute psychosis cases within a single year, a worrying development that health officials are linking to rising substance abuse across the region. The figures were disclosed during a media briefing held in Kumasi to mark World Drug Day.

The Regional Health Director, Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, presented the statistics and used the occasion to issue a strong appeal to communities across the Ashanti Region to change their attitudes towards individuals struggling with addiction and mental health conditions linked to drug use.

Dr Adomako-Boateng stressed that stigma remains one of the biggest barriers preventing people from seeking the help they need. He called on families, community leaders, and the general public to treat addiction as a health issue rather than a moral failing, and to actively encourage affected individuals to access treatment and recovery services.

Why This Matters

Acute psychosis, which can involve hallucinations, delusions, and severely disorganised thinking, is increasingly being associated with the use of substances such as cannabis, tramadol, and other drugs that have become more prevalent in Ghanaian communities. Health experts warn that without timely intervention, those affected face long-term mental health consequences.

World Drug Day, observed annually on 26th June, is a United Nations initiative aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of prevention and treatment. This year's commemoration in Kumasi served as a platform for the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate to highlight the growing burden on mental health services and to push for a more compassionate public response.