HO, Ghana — A prison physician in Ghana is turning the tide against substance abuse among inmates, one educational session at a time. Supt. Ben Adomah, an assistant physician at the Reformers Health Centre within the Ghana Prisons Service, recently led an outreach effort at Ho Central Prisons that aimed to break the cycle of addiction through knowledge.
The session, held on June 26, 2023, was part of a broader initiative by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC). Adomah took inmates through the step-by-step stages of addiction.
He also detailed the physical, mental, and psychological effects of substance abuse. This is not a one-off event. The Reformers Health Centre, where Adomah serves, provides healthcare to inmates.
Its mission extends beyond treating illness; it supports rehabilitation and reintegration efforts. Ghana’s approach to physician training has deep roots.
The University of Ghana Medical School, established in 1964, has been the cornerstone of medical education in the country. The NACOC outreach at Ho Central Prisons represents a growing recognition that incarceration alone cannot solve substance abuse. By educating inmates on the science of addiction, Adomah and his colleagues are planting seeds of change.
For now, the work continues quietly within prison walls.
Understanding Addiction Behind Bars
The step-by-step approach Adomah used at Ho Central Prisons is critical. Addiction does not happen overnight — it follows a progression. By mapping out each stage, from initial experimentation to full-blown dependency, the physician gave inmates a mirror to their own experiences.
Physical effects of substance abuse are well-documented: organ damage, respiratory issues, and increased risk of infectious diseases. Mental effects include impaired judgment and memory loss.
Psychological effects — anxiety, depression, paranoia — often keep users trapped in a cycle of self-medication. Adomah covered all of this. The Reformers Health Centre plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem.
Situated within the Ghana Prisons Service, it is not a typical clinic. Its staff deals with a population that often has chronic health issues, mental health struggles, and a history of trauma.
Ghana’s medical training infrastructure supports this kind of nuanced care. Since 1964, the University of Ghana Medical School has produced doctors who understand that health is not just about the body — it is about the mind and the environment.
Rehabilitation Over Punishment
The NACOC collaboration underscores a shift in Ghana’s approach to drug offenses. Instead of simply warehousing offenders, the system is investing in education and rehabilitation. The June 26 session was a concrete example of this philosophy in action.
Inmates who understand the mechanics of addiction are better equipped to avoid relapse. They can recognize triggers, understand cravings, and seek help before a minor slip becomes a full return to substance use.
The Reformers Health Centre’s broader mission — supporting reintegration — means that the work does not end when an inmate walks out the gate.
A Model for the Future
What happened at Ho Central Prisons on June 26, 2023, may seem small — one physician, one prison, one day of talks. But it represents a replicable model. The encouraging part is that the infrastructure already exists.
The University of Ghana Medical School continues to train physicians. The Reformers Health Centre is operational.
NACOC is actively partnering with prisons. For now, patients — whether behind bars or free — should take heart. Knowledge is a powerful tool against addiction.
And in Ghana, physicians like Supt. Ben Adomah are proving that the doctor’s role extends far beyond the consultation room. Consult your doctor for medical advice.
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