In the wake of the brutal murder of Pharmacist Mohammed Zia-UlHak Zibrim in Bolgatanga, the Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA) has expressed deep alarm over the growing climate of fear among community pharmacists.
The association, in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to act swiftly to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the cold-blooded killing. Without immediate action, many pharmacists are reportedly contemplating limiting their services to daylight hours only, a development that threatens public health access.
The CPPA’s official statement issued on June 11, 2025, stressed the grave consequences of inaction:
“Any delay or inaction will only serve to intimidate pharmacies, pharmacists across all ethnicities, forcing them to limit their services to daytime hours and jeopardize public health.”
This urgent call follows the shooting of Pharmacist Zibrim in front of his residence after a day’s work, an event that has shattered the sense of security among healthcare providers in the Upper East Region and beyond.
The association also demanded that protective measures be urgently implemented to safeguard pharmacies and pharmacists from further attacks and violence, which have escalated to include burglary and now murder.
The CPPA underscored the vital role pharmacists play in Ghana’s primary healthcare delivery and warned that failure to ensure their safety could lead to a healthcare crisis.
“Enough is enough; swift justice must be served now,” the association declared, imploring the authorities to uphold justice and restore confidence in the safety of healthcare professionals across the country.