The National Youth Authority (NYA) in the Upper East Region has intensified its efforts to combat substance abuse and violent behavior among young people, recently holding a sensitization program at Balungu-Ganlagrum in the Bongo District.
The initiative forms part of the nationwide Ghana Against Drugs (GAD) – “Red Means Stop” campaign, which aims to tackle the escalating issue of opioid and substance abuse, particularly among the youth.
The event brought together young people, community leaders, and opinion-shapers to openly discuss the dangers of drug misuse and its strong correlation with rising violence, school dropout rates, unemployment, and community conflict. Participants were educated about the health, social, and economic consequences of substance abuse, as well as its long-term effects on families and community cohesion.
Substance abuse among youth has become a growing concern in the Upper East Region, with increasing reports of opioid and illicit drug misuse, especially among unemployed and out-of-school youth. These patterns have been linked to risky behaviors, violence, declining productivity, and crime, prompting the NYA and its partners to prioritize youth sensitisation.
The “Red Means Stop” campaign employs a holistic strategy, combining education, media advocacy, and grassroots community engagement to drive home the message that drug abuse leads nowhere. By engaging youth directly in their communities, the campaign empowers them with accurate information, helps them resist peer pressure, and promotes positive lifestyle choices.
Speaking at the event, which also featured the donation of dual desks to Balungu-Ganlagrum D/A Primary School in the Upper East Region, Mr. Francis Takyi-Koranteng, Upper East Regional Director of the NYA, highlighted the urgency of confronting substance abuse in the region. He noted that the Upper East faces mounting challenges, including youth unemployment, migration, poverty, and exposure to illicit substances, making its young people particularly vulnerable.
Mr. Takyi-Koranteng stressed that drug abuse is not only a health issue but a broader development challenge that threatens the region’s future. He warned that substance misuse is eroding the human capital needed for local development, weakening families, and undermining community safety.
“The reality on the ground is clear,” he said. “When young people fall into drug abuse, it affects their education, their ability to work, and their relationships. It fuels violence, destroys dreams, and places an extra burden on families and communities that are already struggling.”
He emphasized that the fight against substance abuse requires more than law enforcement. It demands continuous education, strong collaboration among institutions, traditional authorities, and parents, and targeted investment in youth development programmes. He urged young people to take responsibility for their choices, reminding them that today’s decisions will shape their future and that of the region.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Prosper Adankai/Contributor
