Operation STORM, a project by FIP Member Organisation, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), aimed at tackling the growing crisis of substance and opioid abuse among teenagers, has been awarded the Health Promotion Campaign Award.
The award was presented on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the opening ceremony of the 84th World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Montreal, Canada.
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Substance and opioid misuse have emerged as major public health concerns in many countries, with young people bearing a significant share of the impact through respiratory depression, poor academic performance and long-term social and economic consequences.
The effects also extend to families, schools and health systems.
Operation STORM focuses on prevention and early intervention and, over the past two years, has reached more than 17 high schools across Ghana through structured educational interventions.
The campaign has also organised large-scale seminars and interactive sessions on the health, psychological and social consequences of substance misuse, provided one-on-one mentoring for students identified as vulnerable, facilitated professional referral pathways for those requiring psychological, addiction or medical support, and delivered four dedicated televised episodes across five national television stations.
Throughout the campaign, pharmacists across the country served as educators, mentors, counsellors and public health advocates, expanding the role of pharmaceutical practice into preventive public health.
President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Dr Paul Owusu Donkor, said the international recognition validates the contribution of pharmacists to public health and the impact of Operation STORM.
“This award is a profound honour for the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and, more importantly, a validation of a simple conviction we have long held that pharmacists belong on the front line of public health, not just behind the counter or at the ward.
“Operation STORM was born out of urgency. Our teenagers are facing a substance and opioid crisis that classrooms alone cannot solve, and pharmacists across Ghana have stepped forward as educators, mentors, and advocates to meet that urgency.
“This recognition from FIP tells every pharmacist who gave their time to a school seminar or a one-on-one mentoring session that their work matters on the world stage.
“We remain committed to expanding this model of preventive, community-rooted pharmaceutical care, and we thank FIP for shining a light on what is possible when the profession chooses to lead,” Dr Owusu Donkor said.
