Members of Parliament warn Ghana students against gaming addiction

More than 700 students of Accra Technical University (ATU) in Ghana were sensitized on the risks of gaming addiction and its impact on mental health during a recent awareness campaign.

As part of the Gaming Commission of Ghana’s Purple Month celebration, Members of Parliament Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (Korley Klottey) and Hon. John Setor Dumelo (Ayawaso West Wuogon) jointly cautioned Ghanaian students about the dangers of excessive participation in games of chance.

Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings warned that addiction knows no boundaries and can affect anyone, regardless of age or background, stressing that it can destroy lives, damage families, and destabilize Ghanaian communities. She encouraged students to support friends who may be struggling with addiction and advised those affected to seek help early.

Hon. Dumelo, who also serves as Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, shared a personal story about his past struggles with betting and mobile gaming, which he said once consumed much of his time and focus. He urged students across Ghana to watch for early signs of addiction and take proactive steps to avoid falling into harmful habits. 

Acting Commissioner of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Mr. Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, emphasized that while everyone may face some form of addiction, the real danger lies in excessiveness, and he stressed the need for a collective effort to protect Ghanaian students.

Dr. Richard Dei-Asamoa of the Ghana Mental Health Authority highlighted the link between gaming and mental health challenges, citing symptoms such as restlessness, lying, and borrowing to sustain the habit.

ATU's Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Felix Kutsanedzie, praised the Commission’s initiative and called for continuous partnerships to combat gaming addiction among young people in Ghana.