The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has introduced a nationwide initiative, “Ghana Against Drugs – ‘Red Means Stop’,” aimed at curbing the escalating substance abuse problem among Ghana’s youth.
This campaign seeks to educate and empower young people to make informed choices about drug use, raising public awareness about the dangers of opioid abuse and engaging policymakers in meaningful discussions to strengthen regulatory frameworks.
The initiative was undertaken in partnership with Entertainment Week Ghana.
Mr George Opare Addo, the sector minister, highlighted that President Mahama established the Ministry with a clear vision to comprehensively tackle youth-related issues.
The Ministry’s mandate encompasses empowering young individuals through skills development, employment opportunities, and fostering their civic engagement, leadership potential, and overall well-being.
“Protecting the health and future of our youth is the core of our mission.”
Mr. Opare Addo emphasized that substance abuse, especially the misuse of opioids, presents a significant danger to the youth’s well-being and the nation’s future.
“The spread of dangerous opioids, especially the ‘Red’ variant, has become a pressing national issue.
We’re now taking a firm stance to tackle this growing threat head-on, he stressed.”
The Minister emphasized that combating drug abuse requires a collaborative effort, stressing that a unified front is necessary to triumph over this challenge.
He urged government institutions to join forces and implement robust measures to curb the illicit distribution of drugs.
He called upon traditional and religious leaders to provide spiritual direction and community backing, while also appealing to the media to spread the word about the Red Means Stop campaign and ensure that institutions are held responsible for their actions.
He encouraged traditional and religious leaders to offer moral support and guidance to their communities, while also urging the media to help disseminate the Red Means Stop campaign’s message and promote accountability among institutions.
Mr. Opare also urged policymakers, community leaders, educators, and parents to join forces in combating substance abuse, while simultaneously calling on all ministries, departments, and agencies to adopt a unified approach.
This would involve developing tailored messages and collaborating to safeguard young people from the crippling effects of substance abuse.
“To all young people, I urge you: don’t trade your bright future for a temporary escape. Your life has value, and your aspirations are worth chasing.
Substance abuse can shatter your potential – choose to reject it.
Build a supportive network and don’t hesitate to seek help when you need it.”
Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister of the Interior, emphasized that the “Red Means Stop” campaign theme serves as a rallying cry, urging all Ghanaians to unite against the scourge of drug abuse.
According to the Deputy Minister, a disturbing trend emerged from a study of adolescents in nine senior high schools in the Northern Region, revealing that:
- Over 62% had experimented with illicit substances at least once
- 6.2% admitted to smoking
- 5% reported consuming alcohol
- A staggering 62.3% had used other illicit drugs
These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address substance abuse among Ghana’s youth.
Mr. Terlabi emphasized, “It’s crucial that we empower our youth with knowledge about the risks of substance abuse, equip them to withstand peer influence, and inspire informed choices that will safeguard their future and unlock their full potential.”
