The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana has expressed concerns over the early exposure of children to drugs, revealing that some as young as seven years old have started experimenting with substances. According to NACOC's Head of Demand Reduction at the Western Regional Command, SNCO Godlove Vanden-Bossche, this trend is alarming and requires immediate attention. The Commission has identified alcohol, cannabis, shisha, and cigarettes as among the commonly abused substances among young people.
Factors contributing to drug use among young people in Ghana include bullying, grief, emotional distress, and peer pressure. SNCO Vanden-Bossche made these disclosures during a youth emotional development workshop at Diabene Senior High Technical School near Sekondi on November 4, 2026. He emphasized that national data indicates children are being introduced to drugs at a very early age, raising concerns about the vulnerability of schoolchildren to substance abuse.
The workshop, organized by Emmett Outreach Ministries Ghana in partnership with the National Youth Authority and Diabene Senior High Technical School, aimed to prepare young people for future leadership responsibilities through education, reading, and personal development. The program brought together students from about 30 public and private senior high and technical schools across the Western Region. Apostle Stephen Nana Amponsah, leader of Emmett Outreach Ministries Ghana, stressed the need for society to invest in young people.
NACOC has been actively engaging with students through school-based education programs to address the issue of drug use. Between January and November 2026, the Commission engaged approximately 19,110 students. Additionally, NACOC has trained school counselors to identify early warning signs among students who may be at risk of experimenting with drugs. This initiative aims to create supportive environments that encourage children to discuss their challenges and seek guidance.
The workshop also addressed sexual misconduct involving female students in senior high schools. Miracle Samberwood, Protocol Prefect of Diabene Senior High Technical School, encouraged girls to recognize their worth, resist peer pressure, and remain focused on their aspirations. She urged them to exercise self-control, occupy themselves with productive activities, and seek support when confronted with situations that could compromise their safety and future.
SNCO Vanden-Bossche described substance use as a negative coping mechanism and urged young people facing emotional difficulties to seek guidance from teachers, counselors, and other professionals. He emphasized that emotions will not completely solve every problem and encouraged young people to adopt positive coping mechanisms. The Commission's efforts aim to address the root causes of drug use and provide support to vulnerable students.
The workshop, themed "Building Emotionally Resilient Youth for Purpose, Leadership and a Healthy Future," is part of a broader effort to invest in Ghana's youth and prepare them for future leadership responsibilities. Organizers incorporated a book launch into the program to encourage students to develop a reading culture and use knowledge as a tool for personal growth. By addressing these critical issues, stakeholders hope to create a supportive environment that fosters the emotional well-being and development of Ghanaian youth.
Key points
- Some Ghanaian children as young as seven years old are experimenting with drugs, according to NACOC.
- Factors influencing drug use among young people include bullying, grief, emotional distress, and peer pressure.
- NACOC has engaged approximately 19,110 students through school-based education programs between January and November 2026.
