The Government of Ghana has intensified its fight against the growing menace of opioid abuse among the youth with the launch of a nationwide campaign and the commissioning of a comprehensive research study to uncover the root causes of the problem.
On March 28, 2025, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment rolled out the “Red Means Stop” campaign to raise awareness, prevent abuse, and intervene early in addiction cases.
The move comes ahead of the International Youth Day celebrations on August 12, with sector minister George Opare-Addo stressing the urgent need for data-driven solutions.
“We have a problem on our hands. We don’t know the gravity of the problem or the main contributing factors. It is only when we understand these dynamics that we can sit at the decision table and find lasting solutions,” Opare-Addo explained, noting that past interventions have been largely ad hoc.
The Ministry’s research will cover all 16 regions of the country to map out the prevalence, patterns, and triggers of opioid use among Ghanaian youth. The initiative received a major boost after the RNAQ Foundation donated GH₵500,000 to support the study.
According to Opare-Addo, the donation will allow the Ministry to expand its sample size and deepen the scope of its findings. “The research alone is costing us about GH₵400,000, so this contribution will significantly enhance our work,” he said.
Founder of the RNAQ Foundation, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, said the gesture was inspired by the devastating impact of drug abuse witnessed in other African countries.
“We have seen how opioid abuse is destroying the lives of youth in countries like Sierra Leone, and Ghana is on a similar path. We are committed to working hand in hand with the Ministry to confront this threat head-on,” he stated.
The findings of the commissioned research are expected to be unveiled by the end of this month, forming the foundation for a long-term national strategy to combat substance abuse.
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