{
  "id": 12310511,
  "title": "Catholic Bishops demand tougher action on tramadol, marijuana and other drugs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/catholic-bishops-demand-tougher-action-on-tramadol-marijuana-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T05:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/catholic-bishops-demand-tougher-action-on-tramadol-marijuana-and-other-drugs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference is calling for more aggressive measures to combat drug abuse in Ghana, specifically targeting substances that are easily accessible and popular among young people. In a recent statement, the Bishops emphasized the need to expand the nation's approach beyond the focus on cocaine and other high-profile narcotics. They are particularly concerned about the widespread use of tramadol, marijuana, \"Red\", and other substances, which they claim are contributing to the ruin of many young lives and potential in communities throughout the country.\n\nPresident of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, spoke to Citi FM regarding the matter. He emphasized that the scale of abuse involving drugs readily available in communities demands immediate attention. Rev. Gyamfi argued that authorities should strengthen laws and enforcement to curb the importation and illegal sale of these substances, ultimately removing them from the market. He stressed that concentrating solely on drugs like cocaine overlooks the fact that substances like marijuana, tramadol, \"Red\", and others are being consumed more extensively by young people. \"You should not concentrate only on drugs like cocaine, which is used, but not as massively as marijuana, tramadol, ‘Red’ and other similar drugs that are readily available on the shelves, and young people just go for it,\" Rev. Gyamfi stated.\n\nHe urged authorities to implement more stringent measures to prevent the importation and distribution of these drugs, in addition to intensifying efforts to safeguard young people from substance abuse and address the broader social ramifications of the drug crisis.",
  "summary": "The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference is urging authorities to widen the country’s approach to tackling drug abuse, warning that substances readily available in communities are taking a serious toll on young people.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}