{
  "id": 2101497,
  "title": "Govt rallies nation to fight youth drug abuse",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/govt-rallies-nation-to-fight-youth-drug-abuse",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-20T08:33:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/govt-rallies-nation-to-fight-youth-drug-abuse/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr George Opare Addo, has urged Ghanaians to unite in combating drug abuse among the youth. He described the issue as a grave threat to families and national development. Addo emphasized that the government would ramp up education, advocacy, and other interventions to prevent young people from falling into drug abuse, while also encouraging the youth to take responsibility for safeguarding themselves and their peers. At a National Youth Forum in Accra, Addo called the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to the event, highlighting that drug abuse is a major challenge that cannot be viewed as an individual problem. The government aims to provide young Ghanaians with a platform to discuss their concerns and propose practical solutions to tackle the issue. The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has invited the NACOC to work collaboratively with families, civil society organizations, and the youth to address the drug abuse crisis. Addo assured the youth that his government is committed to creating an enabling environment through skills development, entrepreneurship, digital training, and job opportunities. NACOC's Director-General, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, cautioned the youth against experimenting with illicit drugs, stressing that the evolving nature of substance abuse poses serious threats to their health, future, and aspirations. Mantey highlighted that NACOC is intensifying education, prevention, enforcement, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts to combat the menace, and urged young people struggling with addiction to seek professional help early, without shame. He warned against the consequences of experimentation, which could lead to addiction and destroy the lives and aspirations of young people. Mantey appealed for the youth to join forces with NACOC, the Ministry of Youth Development, and other stakeholders in the fight against illicit drug abuse. The CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Mr Malik Basintale, reaffirmed the government's commitment to creating sustainable employment opportunities for young Ghanaians. He announced that the Agency has received a list of 15,000 beneficiaries for various employment programs, including sales, community health assistance, and other initiatives. Basintale also disclosed that the government is expanding opportunities in community policing, healthcare, financial assistance, and other sectors, while strengthening partnerships to support youth employment. The YEA plans to introduce 8,000 young people to community technology work within five years to equip them with relevant skills. Basintale emphasized that implementing the government's youth manifesto remains a top priority and assured that the Agency will continue to create opportunities to empower young Ghanaians.",
  "summary": "The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr George Opare Addo, has called for a concerted national effort to tackle drug abuse among the youth. He described the growing menace as a threat to families and national development. ???????????????????????????????????? He said the government would intensify education, advocacy and other interventions to prevent young people from … The post…",
  "key_points": [
    "Minister urges Ghanaians to unite against youth drug abuse",
    "Government to ramp up education, advocacy, interventions",
    "NACOC, Ministry to collaborate with families and civil society"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}