The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry for the Interior and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), has launched a nationwide Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) Campaign to combat the growing menace of drug abuse in schools across the country.
The initiative forms part of the government’s innovative and proactive response to protecting learners from the harmful effects of substance abuse and promoting safe, healthy and disciplined learning environments across the country.
As part of the campaign, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, directed the director-general of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to introduce a daily anti-drug awareness message in all pre-tertiary schools nationwide.
Effective immediately, students will recite the approved campaign message during morning assemblies, immediately after the National Anthem and before the National Pledge.
"The campaign message is as follows:
Leader: “Don’t start it as a greeting.”
"Students: “To live in regret.”
Directive
A statement from the Ministry of Education, signed by the ministry's Press Secretary, Hashmin Mohammed, said the directive was a key component of a broader national Behavioural Change Communication Strategy designed to discourage drug use among school-aged children, strengthen preventive education and encourage responsible decision-making among learners.
"The campaign will be supported by sustained public education efforts, school-based sensitisation programmes, stakeholder engagement activities and enhanced collaboration among educational institutions, parents, community leaders and other key partners," it said.
It said the Ministry of Education remained committed to safeguarding the wellbeing and future of every learner and called on all stakeholders to support this national effort to eliminate drug abuse from Ghana’s schools and educational institutions.
Destruction
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) last week destroyed 9.6 tonnes of cannabis, 46.89 kg of cocaine, 2,734 bottles of cannabis-laced drinks and 130 boxes of hemp-related products at Bundase in the Greater Accra Region.
The exercise, which was sanctioned by the courts, formed part of activities ahead of this year’s World Drug Day and was witnessed by officials from partner security agencies and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).
Addressing journalists after the exercise, the Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, said the destruction of the seized substances demonstrated the country’s commitment to protecting public health, public safety and national security.
