The Ministry of Education has issued a strong call to action for teachers and school authorities nationwide to intensify monitoring of students in response to alarming signs that drug networks are making inroads into Ghana’s basic and secondary schools.
The warning comes on the heels of intelligence gathered by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), which revealed that drug-related activities are increasingly shifting from the streets into educational environments. Recent enforcement operations have uncovered a rise in the use of opioids and tramadol among young people, sparking concern among educators and policymakers.
Speaking to the media on June 25, Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, described the trend as part of a broader drug abuse crisis confronting both Ghana and the world. He emphasized the urgent need for intervention and outlined ongoing collaboration between the Ministry, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and support systems in schools.
“Teachers are at the frontline of this fight, they are the first to notice changes in students’ behaviour and can help prevent drug-related activities from gaining ground in our schools,” Dr. Apaak explained. He called on teachers and school administrators to be proactive in searching students’ bags and personal belongings as part of efforts to maintain discipline and ensure campus safety.
“We have empowered school managers to conduct thorough checks of luggage, trunks, and chop boxes brought into dormitories,” he added, noting that these measures are a continuation of government efforts to restore discipline in the education sector.
Dr. Apaak stressed that tackling the rising threat of drug abuse and trafficking in schools will require coordinated action from teachers, parents, school leaders, and security agencies alike. The Ministry’s latest appeal highlights the urgent need for vigilance to protect students and maintain safe learning environments across the country.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com