By: Maltiti Sayida Sadick
In a bid to curb the rising threat of drug abuse among Ghanaian youth, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has announced a series of ambitious initiatives during his turn at the Government Accountability Series. Addressing journalists and stakeholders, he described the increasing rate of substance abuse as a significant public health concern that requires targeted education, rehabilitation, and behavioral change strategies.
As part of this response, the Ministry is set to roll out the “Red Means Stop” or “Wunim Red” drug abuse prevention campaign across all 16 regions this August. The campaign will focus on school-based interventions, culturally sensitive approaches, and evidence-based research, aiming to promote behavioral change, mental health awareness, and youth-friendly services.
“The health of the youth is non-negotiable,” the Minister emphasized.
These initiatives are part of a broader framework under the National Youth Festival Month themed “Igniting Potential, Inspiring Change.” The month-long celebration kicks off with interfaith prayers at mosques and churches, followed by a series of community clean-up exercises led by the regional offices of the National Youth Authority (NYA).
Other key highlights of the festival include a National Youth Conference aligned with the United Nations International Youth Day, A Health Walk Against Drugs on August 16, A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on August 20 focusing on youth policy and collaboration, and The National Youth Carnival, which will climax the celebration and is expected to feature participation by the President of the Republic
Mr Opare Addo also detailed employment creation plans under the Edwumawura programme and the National Apprenticeship initiative, each targeting 500,000 youth over four years. These are being implemented in partnership with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and through a reformed National Service model, expected to generate between 1.5 to 2 million direct and indirect jobs.
On the education front, the Ministry is pushing for reforms to the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat by working on legislation to transform it into a full Authority. The Minister assured the public that “scholarships won’t be sold like tomatoes on the market but given on merit,” promising a more transparent and accountable process. A bill that had previously been suspended is expected to return to Parliament for further review.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to youth development, the Minister mentioned that efforts are underway to resume work on major sports infrastructure projects, including the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex and similar facilities in the Upper West Region.
Together with the CEO of the National Youth Authority, Osman Ayariga, and in collaboration with youth-led organizations, traditional leaders, and key stakeholders, the Ministry is committed to ensuring sustainable, inclusive, and impactful youth development across the country.
