Abstract
Six Ghanaian newspapers with the widest readership and distributions were selected for analysis to examine health communication themes and strategies related to alcohol and/or substance misuse and other drug-related behaviors in Ghana. Newspapers were manually searched using relevant keywords. We used thematic analysis to examine 90 articles that were identified. Content themes included (1) legal consequences, (2) adverse effects, (3) change motivation, and (4) help and support. Communication strategies included (1) articles about high-profile individuals or events, (2) narratives, (3) use of rhetoric, and (4) sensationalism. The legal consequences of misusing substances and using illicit substances were the most prevalent themes. Sensationalism was the most prevalent communication strategy. We address the benefits and limitations of the ways in which Ghanaian print media shapes the narrative about substance misuse.
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