Youth Development Ministry Partners with Christian Council to Tackle Drug Abuse

Accra: The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has partnered with the Christian Council of Ghana to address youth challenges, particularly the growing issue of drug abuse. The partnership aims to amplify the 'Ghana Against Drugs (GAD), Red Means Stop' campaign, which was launched in March 2025 to combat the rising substance abuse crisis among the country's youth. According to Ghana Web, the campaign, organized by the Ministry, seeks to curb alarming rates of drug use among Ghanaian youth. Speaking at a meeting with the Christian Council of Ghana in Accra on February 12, 2026, George Opare Addo emphasized the importance of investing in young people, noting that they make up approximately 38% of Ghana's population. He stressed that the future of Ghana is in its youth today, advocating for the protection of their health and the provision of skills, character building, leadership opportunities, and community service to build a prosperous and righteous nation. Addo highlighted the challenges facing Gha na's youth, including mental health concerns, substance abuse, unemployment-related stress, sexual and reproductive health risks, and digital addiction. The meeting explored potential areas of collaboration such as career mentorship, digital literacy training, scholarships, and apprenticeship programs. Opare Addo stressed that the government cannot tackle these issues alone and called for the support of the Church and other stakeholders to equip Ghana's youth with the skills needed to build a strong future. The meeting also featured a presentation on the ministry's achievements and research findings on substance abuse and other challenges confronting young people. Leading the council was the General Secretary of the CCG, Rev Dr Cyril Fayose, who pledged the Council's support in addressing these challenges. He noted that the Church would serve as a tool to promote good behavior among the youth. Rev Dr Fayose explained that the Christian Council has a longstanding policy of preaching societal reforms, which t hey intend to rekindle in order to help achieve the campaign's goals. Those present at the meeting included Koku Anyidoho, Chairman of the CCG's Maiden Ecumenical Convention Planning Committee, along with other executives of the Council.