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Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has expressed concern over the growing prevalence of drug use and teenage pregnancies among Ghana’s youth, warning that the twin crises threaten the country’s future workforce and national development. Addressing a national youth dialogue in Accra on November 5, 2025, Opare Addo revealed that substance abuse among students has reached disturbing levels, describing it as a “national emergency” that demands immediate action. According to the minister, recent data shows that 41 percent of tertiary students and 37 percent of senior high school students have experimented with drugs. He said this trend poses a major challenge to Ghana’s human capital development if not addressed urgently. “Substance use is becoming increasingly common on school campuses,” he said, noting that students are experimenting with alcohol, marijuana, synthetic pills such as the popular ‘red 2-2-5,’ and in some cases, hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. He added that access to these substances has become alarmingly easy through peers, street vendors, pubs, and even discreet on-campus dealers. “The problem is no longer limited to street corners, with online ordering and courier delivery systems, young people can now access drugs with minimal human interaction, making enforcement and prevention far more difficult.” George Opare Addo makes history as Ghana's first Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment Opare Addo explained that curiosity, peer pressure and the desire to fit in are key reasons behind students’ involvement in drug use, while others resort to drugs as coping mechanisms for stress, academic pressure and emotional struggles. He disclosed that 26 percent of first-time users are between the ages of 14 and 15, while 41 percent are between 16 and 17 years old. “This early exposure impairs memory, learning, and emotional control, leading to truancy, behavioral problems and long-term addiction,” he warned. He further emphasised that drug abuse affects not only individuals but entire families and the nation. “When one person in a family starts abusing drugs, it becomes a family issue and not just an individual problem,” he stressed. The minister lamented that only 36 percent of educational institutions currently have counseling and support services for students facing substance-related challenges. He called for urgent action to strengthen counseling units, intensify awareness campaigns and expand psychosocial support systems across schools and communities. Opare Addo announced that the Ministry will collaborate with the Ministries of Health and Education, as well as civil society organizations, to develop a comprehensive national strategy aimed at combating drug use and promoting mental health among young people. “Protecting the health and well-being of Ghana’s youth is not just a government obligation but a collective national duty,” he said. “Every young person lost to drug abuse is a lost opportunity for the nation.” Opare Addo also highlighted another major concern the high rate of teenage pregnancies across the country. He described the situation as a “social and economic crisis” that continues to derail the nation’s development efforts. Citing data from the Ministry, he revealed that over 100,000 teenage pregnancies are recorded in Ghana each year, with 19 percent occurring among girls aged 15 to 19 years. “These figures represent shattered dreams and interrupted education for thousands of young girls,” he said. The minister explained that teenage pregnancies are most prevalent in rural and underserved communities, where access to education and reproductive health services remains limited. He warned that early childbearing often leads to school dropouts, health complications, and a cycle of poverty that spans generations. Watch the promo to GhanaWeb's latest documentary, which uncovers the evolution of ‘kayamata,' an exploitative practice fueled by love charms and manipulation, titled, “The Dark Side of Kayamata,' below: The wait is over! The GhanaWeb Excellence Awards 2025 is officially launched. Let's Celebrate impact, innovation and excellence across Ghana. Who deserves to be honoured this year? Nominate now 👉 https://ghanaweb.com/ghanaexcellenceawards/nominate
