Accra: The Gaming Commission has organised a sensitisation programme for students of the Accra Technical University (ATU) to raise awareness on gambling addiction and mental wellness. The students were taken through the negative effects of excessive gambling and how it affected their mental health and wellbeing.

According to Ghana News Agency, the event was part of the Commission’s commemoration of the Purple Month, a mental health awareness initiative aimed at promoting emotional well-being and reducing stigma around mental illness throughout May. The Ghana Health Service and the Mental Health Authority have declared May as Purple Month to raise awareness on mental health issues, combat stigma, and celebrate the possibilities of recovery.

Mr. Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, the Acting Commissioner of the Gaming Commission, stated that the event aimed to educate students on the risks associated with excessive gambling. He highlighted the importance of sensitising students on the adverse effects of irresponsible gaming to safeguard their future. As students often show curiosity about gambling and betting, he stressed the need for them to become ambassadors against gambling addiction and spread the message to their peers.

Mr. Quainoo pointed out that irresponsible gambling has led some young people, including students, to experience anxiety, depression, self-isolation, and the loss of jobs and relationships. To address the growing issue of gambling addiction, the Commission has collaborated with Gaming Operators to raise awareness among students in tertiary institutions.

Ms. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey Constituency, advised students to open up about their challenges and not keep them to themselves. She encouraged sharing concerns with parents and counselors to alleviate the mental burden. Dr. Agyemang-Rawlings also stressed the importance of genuine human connection in an era where social media increasingly replaces face-to-face interactions, urging care for one another in a world where social media and human connection have an inverse relationship.