Interior Minister Raises Alarm Over Rising Drug Abuse Among Youth
Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka warns of escalating drug abuse crisis, calls for united national action to tackle youth addiction and narcotics cultivation.
- Interior Minister warns of rising drug abuse among Ghanaian youth
- Government calls for joint action from religious and traditional leaders
- Authorities intensify efforts against drug cultivation and supply chains
The Minister for the Interior and Member of Parliament for Asawase, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has expressed deep concern over the rising incidence of drug abuse among young people in Ghana, describing the trend as a serious threat to the country’s future.
Speaking during an engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders in Ho as part of a two-day working visit to the Volta Region, the Minister said the situation had reached alarming levels and required a coordinated national response.
He called on religious leaders, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and community members to join efforts to combat the growing menace.
“The level of drug usage by our youth is getting to an alarming proportion. As the Minister responsible for the Narcotics Control Commission, His Excellency the President and I are very much concerned about the situation,” he stated.
Mr. Muntaka stressed that tackling the issue must go beyond arresting users to addressing the sources of supply. He revealed that security investigations have identified parts of the Volta Region as areas where the cultivation of narcotic substances, particularly marijuana, is widespread.
“You cannot simply arrest those using the drugs without looking at where the drugs are coming from. We have found that there is significant cultivation of these substances in some parts of the region,” he said.
He urged pastors, imams, chiefs, and other influential figures to actively support public education efforts and discourage both the use and cultivation of illicit drugs.
The Minister also dismissed arguments that drug cultivation and trade can be justified as a means of livelihood, warning that illegal activity cannot be excused on economic grounds.
He further cautioned that Ghana’s international reputation could suffer if authorities fail to curb the cultivation and trafficking of narcotic substances, noting that neighbouring countries have raised concerns about marijuana originating from Ghana.
Mr. Muntaka assured that government, through the Regional Security Council and relevant agencies, will intensify enforcement efforts against drug cultivation, distribution, and abuse.
Volta Regional Minister James Gunu commended the Interior Minister for the engagement and reaffirmed the Regional Coordinating Council’s commitment to supporting development and social cohesion.
He emphasized the importance of unity among political actors, religious leaders, and traditional authorities, describing the Volta Region as the “Oxygen City of Ghana.”
