The Ministry of Education has launched a nationwide Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) campaign to tackle the rising threat of drug abuse in Ghanaian schools.
Partnering with the Ministry of the Interior and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the initiative introduces mandatory daily awareness messages across all pre-tertiary institutions in the country.
Under a directive issued by the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, students will now recite a dedicated anti-drug pledge during morning assemblies, directly following the National Anthem.
The brief, call-and-response message is designed to resonate easily with young learners, beginning with a leader stating, “Don’t start it as a greeting,” to which the student body responds, “To live in regret.”
Ministry officials describe the campaign as a proactive measure to safeguard the future of the nation’s youth. Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister for Education, emphasised that the daily recital is just the first step in a much larger, comprehensive strategy.
“This directive constitutes a key component of a broader national Behavioural Change Communication Strategy designed to discourage drug use among school-aged children, strengthen preventive education, and encourage responsible decision-making among learners,” Mohammed stated.
The government intends to support the morning assemblies with widespread public education campaigns, classroom-based sensitisation workshops, and closer monitoring within local communities. Success will rely heavily on building a unified front between schools and families to catch early signs of substance abuse before they escalate.
“The Ministry of Education remains committed to safeguarding the wellbeing and future of every learner,” Mohammed added, urging parents, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to actively back the initiative to foster safer, more disciplined learning environments across Ghana.
