Ghanaian youth have been cautioned against taking sexual enhancement drugs to avert becoming impotent in the future. Joseph Yaw-Bernie Bennie, Principal Regulatory Officer, Kumasi Zonal Office of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) said the youth stand the risk of dying through the use of aphrodisiac drugs. He observed that this dangerous lifestyle had become common. "They take such drugs with the aim of punishing women in bed," but noted, "these young men are rather punishing themselves because they could become impotent by age 40." Mr. Bennie was speaking during an exclusive interview with Daily Guide during a three-day educative programme organized for herbal medicine producers by the FDB. "Our vibrant youth" according to him, "do not need any assistance in the form of medicines to aid sexual performance since. They are still sexually strong." Mr. Bennie also warned elderly males who take aphrodisiac drugs without medical approval not to do so. "Before you take drugs let a medical doctor give a diagnosis and prescribe it for you," he added. According to him the elderly also could suffer some health complications through unsupervised aphrodisiac use. They too could become impotent by abusing such dangerous drugs on their own. He warned the media to refrain from running adverts about drugs that are not certified by the Food and Drugs Board since they could suffer financial penalties when caught. The programme which was attended by about 60 herbal medicine practitioners in Kumasi was aimed among other things, to educate the participants about how to conduct their operations properly to the benefit of Ghanaians. Among topics treated were Good Manufacturing Practices, Personal Hygiene, Quality Assessment of Drugs and Documentation of Drugs Produced. He debunked rumours that the FDB was against the operations of herbal medicine practitioners in the country saying "if we are against them we would not have organized such an educative programme to enhance their work." The FDB he stated only-seeks to ensure that herbal medicine producers always do the right thing to prevent unnecessary dangers to unsuspecting members of the public. The programme is being organized across the ten regions of the country by the FDB and Mr. Bennie promises his outfit's desire to replicate the programme very soon. Source: Daily Guide