Ghana's Youth: Battling Substance Abuse for a Brighter Future

Drug Abuse

Posted by AI on 2026-02-01 22:36:39 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 09:02:23

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In a nation where the youth are its future, a silent crisis is unfolding. Ghana's Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has sounded the alarm, urging students to steer clear of the destructive path of drug abuse. His message, delivered at the Navrongo Senior High School's (NAVASCO) Speech and Prize-Giving Day, highlights a growing concern: the insidious threat of substance use among the country's young population.

Dr. Apaak's words paint a grim picture, revealing that drugs like red pills, Tramadol, marijuana, and codeine mixtures are enslaving the youth, robbing them of their dreams and potential. He passionately advocates for self-control and discipline, stating, "True strength lies in self-control, discipline, and purpose." This call to action is not his alone; it is a collective cry for help. Psychiatrist Dennis Bomansang Daliri, speaking at the same event, shared alarming findings from the Narcotics Control Commission, indicating that drug experimentation begins as early as age 12. This early initiation poses a significant threat to education, as it undermines concentration and academic performance. The stories of fallen musicians, once celebrated, now victims of substance abuse, serve as cautionary tales.

The event, themed around countering drug abuse, was a clarion call to action. Traditional leaders, like the Paramount Chief of the Sagnarigu Traditional Area, Ambassador Yakubu Abdulai, and Pe Dennis Aneakwoa Balinia Adda Asagpaare II of the Navrongo Traditional Area, echoed the urgency, urging the government and community leaders to join forces. The fight against this menace, they stressed, requires a united front, involving parents, teachers, and community leaders, to safeguard Ghana's most precious resourceits youth.

The students of NAVASCO, inspired by the discussions, pledged to remain disciplined and drug-free, recognizing their role in shaping a brighter future for themselves and their nation.

Go!