The growing abuse of drugs among young people and some adults, including women, has become a serious threat to families and national development, the Nifahene of Techiman, Nana Boakye Ameyaw Pemtemprem, has said. He made the remarks while speaking at the annual festival of the Aduana Royal Family in Techiman. Nana Boakye said drug abuse was contributing to school dropouts, mental-health problems and social hardship. Some affected young people, he noted, later become dependent on their families instead of developing into productive citizens. In contrast, others suffer severe mental illness and are unable to function normally in society.
Recent data underline the seriousness of the concern. Ghana’s Mental Health Authority reported that health facilities attended to 3,765 cases of mental disorders related to alcohol use and 5,554 cases linked to other psychoactive substances in 2023. Cases involving psychoactive substances increased from 4,155 in 2019 to 5,554 in 2023, with people aged 20 to 34 the most affected. The Authority also warned that children between 10 and 14 were presenting with conditions associated with drug use.
The Narcotics Control Commission recorded a sharp rise in illicit drug seizures, from 8,704 kilogrammes in 2020 to 15,458 kilogrammes in 2021 and 59,900 kilogrammes in 2022. Cannabis accounted for 99 per cent of illicit substances seized in Ghana, according to an ECOWAS drug-use report. However, seizures reflect enforcement activity and should not be interpreted alone as the total number of people addicted to drugs.
In 2025, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment launched a nationwide campaign focusing on school-based prevention, mental health awareness, and youth-friendly support services. Nana Boakye called for stronger parental supervision and urged parents to place greater emphasis on their children’s education. He also appealed to traditional authorities, schools, religious bodies and health professionals to support early counselling, treatment and rehabilitation rather than stigmatise affected persons.
He further encouraged the youth to participate in Ghana’s rich cultural traditions, which he said were gradually losing their place in society. Nana Boakye also urged women to reduce excessive spending on funerals and social clubs, saying such expenses could drain household income needed for education and family welfare.
