Ghanaians Hooked: Ghana’s Soaring Substance Abuse Epidemic

An estimated 82,500 people in Ghana are actively using illicit substances, with the Ashanti Region home to around 16,300 of that total, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has disclosed. The figures were presented by NACOC Director-General Major General Maxwell Obuba during International Youth Day celebrations held in Kumasi.

Substance Abuse on the Rise

The numbers are drawn from research conducted by the University of Ghana School of Public Health in 2025. Major General Obuba warned that substance abuse is posing serious health and social risks to Ghana's young population. He urged schools, families, and community leaders to step up public education efforts and build stronger support networks capable of shielding young people from addiction.

HIV Prevalence Among Drug Users

The University of Ghana study found that the HIV prevalence rate among drug users in the Ashanti Region stands at 6.6 per cent, a figure that dwarfs the national HIV prevalence rate of 1.4 per cent. Major General Obuba attributed this stark gap to high-risk behaviours associated with illicit drug use, including needle-sharing and unsafe sexual conduct. The NACOC chief stressed that addressing the crisis demands a dual approach: firm prevention measures alongside compassionate medical care and rehabilitation support.

Combating Substance Abuse

Major General Obuba called on Ghanaian youth to take ownership of their futures by making informed choices that protect their health and long-term prospects. He also urged the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to intensify awareness campaigns to curb the growing threat of substance abuse in schools. NACOC is working with these institutions to train counsellors and intensify awareness campaigns to combat the crisis.

The figures do not include Indian hemp, which remains the most widely abused substance in the country. The data covers harder substances only. Major General Obuba drew attention to a secondary public health emergency connected to drug use. He quoted the University of Ghana study directly, highlighting the need for a dual approach to address the crisis.

Source: Yen Politics