1. Alcoholism in Ghana: Background

Alcoholism and drug addiction is becoming a real challenge to Ghanaian society. As the pace of modern life increases the stress on the individual, too often the availability of cheap local gin and drugs from South America provide a temporary escape and relief. The cost of this escape is often alcoholism for those men and women who are pre-disposed to acquire this disease. The use of West African nations as a corridor to pass drugs from South and Central America to Europe has exposed Ghanaians to the international drug trade. Drug addiction is increasing and there is little in the way of long term treatment and support for alcoholics or drug addicts in Ghana.

2. Plan for a Recovery House in Kukurantumi, Ghana

Need: The major hospitals in the capital of Accra and some regional hospitals are able to provide a short term detoxification program of two to four weeks for a small number of people. When the patients are discharged, there is only one recovery house in the capital. With no support or treatment options, there is little hope for long term sobriety for most alcoholics or drug addicts in Ghana.

Background: In 2009 Dan and Agnes O'Laughlin opened up a small recovery house in a suburb of Accra, the capital. This house can house a maximum of 8 men. The residents applied for and were given a charter to operate the house as an Oxford House International Chapter House. This charter allows the residents to live a sober and structured life according to the format of this successful program.

Donations are tax deductible and will help open the halfway house in Kukurantumi.

Contact Kirt: (Please us the 'Contact Us' page)

3. Progress Report on the Recovery Center, Kukurantumi

Mr. Jason Rapert, the founder and Director of Holy Ghost Ministries USA, was able to secure a grant for $7500 to dig a bore hole on the property of the Recovery Center. This well is now operational and is currently serving some of the farmers and villagers in the area.

As of December 2010 there is no electricity for the Recovery Center. For the meantime, the residents will use kerosene and LP lanterns, and cook with LP gas on a small cooktop. The residents will be given about an acre of land adjacent to the building to grow their own vegetables and raise some poultry.

4. Progress report on translation of AA literature

The Preface and Chapters One through Five of the "Big Book", Alcoholics Anonymous, have been translated into the Twi language which is spoken by 75% of the people in Ghana. These have been submitted and approved by the International Desk of the World Service Office of AA in New York City. Currently the remainder of the Big Book is being translated with funds from the WSO. It is hoped that the translation will be completed in 2011.
An in-depth report is here