Accra: Rev. Dr. Lawson Kwaku Dzanku, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), has declared the increasing drug abuse among the youth a national crisis that requires urgent attention. He emphasized the need for the church and society to collaborate with the government to address this growing issue.
According to Ghana News Agency, Rev. Dr. Dzanku made these remarks in an interview in Ho, responding to concerns about the rising cases of drug abuse among the youth in Ghana. He warned that if a collaborative effort is not undertaken, the nation risks losing its future leaders and parents.
In a related development, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, during a meeting on July 18, 2025, expressed concerns about the misuse of the Narcotic Control Commission Act. This law, which permits the cultivation of a specific cannabis species for medicinal purposes, is reportedly misunderstood and used for recreational activities.
Rev. Dr. Dzanku further explained that many youths adopt this harmful habit while in school, often unnoticed by their teachers. Despite teachers' efforts to combat this issue, it continues to thrive clandestinely on campuses. He noted that students often influence their peers, leading to mischief and trouble, which sometimes extends into adulthood, resulting in gang involvement and societal harm.
He highlighted the threat posed by these individuals, who struggle to conform to societal norms, thus endangering the community. The situation is distressing, with potential leaders and responsible citizens ending up in prison or on the streets due to drug abuse.
Rev. Dr. Dzanku assured that the EPCG is committed to supporting teachers and collaborating with stakeholders to fight drug abuse in schools and communities. He also pledged the church's readiness to assist community leaders in identifying and addressing the issue within their areas.
In his concluding remarks, Rev. Dr. Dzanku urged the youth to avoid drugs to preserve their potentials and advised those addicted to seek counseling.
