Chasing performance: inside the quiet crisis of sex enhancement drug abuse among Ghanaian youth

A 19-year-old university student was getting ready for a date when a friend handed him a small blue pill and promised it would make him "last all night." Without asking what it was or where it came from, he swallowed it and left to meet the girl he had been chasing for weeks. Hours later, his heart was pounding so violently that he thought he was having a heart attack. Alone and too embarrassed to ask for help, he feared he might die. Three years later, he still remembers that night. His experience is far from unique. Across Ghana, more young men are turning to sex enhancement drugs in pursuit of improved sexual performance, often without understanding the risks involved. Across markets such as Kantamanto and Kejetia, as well as many lorry stations, unlabelled capsules, "man power" sachets, and other sexual enhancement products, are sold openly without prescriptions. While some are herbal preparations, others are counterfeit versions of prescription erectile dysfunction drugs. Their easy availability, combined with peer pressure, social media influence, and limited sexual health education, has encouraged many young people to experiment with products whose contents and effects they do not fully understand. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has repeatedly warned against unregistered sexual enhancement products, stating that their safety, quality, and effectiveness can not be guaranteed. Despite these warnings, a 2023 Ghana News Agency report found that traders continued to sell unapproved aphrodisiacs, with some products priced between GH¢50 and GH¢200. Health professionals continue to report cases of chest pain, irregular heartbeats, and priapism linked to the misuse of these products, particularly when mixed with alcohol or energy drinks. The dangers extend beyond physical health. Many users develop psychological dependence, believing they cannot perform without the drugs. The university student eventually sought counselling after a friend noticed his growing anxiety before dates. "She didn't judge me," he recalls. "She just asked me why I felt I needed it. I didn't have a good answer." He has not taken another pill since. The growing misuse of sex enhancement drugs among Ghanaian youth is driven by misinformation, unrealistic expectations, and silence surrounding sexual health. Addressing the problem will require stronger regulation, better public education, and open conversations that encourage young people to seek accurate information instead of risking their health for temporary confidence. Until myths are replaced with facts and shame is replaced with honest conversations, many young Ghanaians will continue to put their health at risk in pursuit of unrealistic expectations.