Kotoka Basic School Wins NACOC Drug-Free Clubs Art Competition

Burma camp: Kotoka Basic School from Burma Camp in the Greater Accra Region has emerged winners of the Drug-Free Clubs Art Competition organised as part of activities to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. According to Ghana News Agency, the school secured a total of 407 points from three judges to clinch the top position in the competition, receiving a trophy and plaque for the school, medals for the contestants, and a cash prize of GHS2,000. Burma Camp Basic School, also from Burma Camp in the Greater Accra Region, placed second with 356 points accumulated from the judges, also awarded with a plaque, medals for contestants, and a cash prize of GHS1,000. The competition, organised by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), formed part of efforts to promote anti-drug awareness among school children through creative arts and educational activities. It was held on the theme, 'Empowering the Youth Through Creative Arts.' As part of the competition package, each cont estant received art materials including one sketch pad (A4 standard), one pack of coloured pencils, one professional pack of art pencils and charcoal consisting of 16 pieces, one set of painting brushes, and one set of poster colours and brushes, all packaged in sealed bags. In addition, Mr. Archibald Darko-Boateng, the Chief Executive Officer of El-Sayus Company Limited, presented GHS1,000 to each contestant in support of their participation and creativity. Speaking on behalf of Brigadier-General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of NACOC, Mr. Solomon Stanley Eyo, Director of Operations and Chief Narcotics Control Officer, raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of substance abuse among students. He noted that more than 36.4 per cent of junior and senior high school students in Ghana had experimented with at least two different substances. He explained that findings from a report by the Consultative Committee to Combat Drug Menace in Schools showed that cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol were th e most commonly abused substances among boys, while pain relievers, shisha, and alcohol were prevalent among girls. 'The report further revealed that 88.6 per cent of students surveyed were under stress, which was identified as a major driver of substance abuse among young people,' he added. Mr. Eyo emphasized that students themselves admitted that drug use contributed to absenteeism, poor academic performance, insomnia, and physical weakness. He stressed that the Commission remained committed to implementing drug demand reduction strategies through continuous public sensitisation in schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, and communities across the country.