PRU WEST NCCE ENGAGES CHURCHES IN BEPOSO ON DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), through its Pru West Directorate, has intensified efforts to combat drug abuse by engaging three churches in the Beposo community of the Pru West District on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as part of its second-quarter civic education activities.

The sensitization exercise was held during church service hours and engaged congregants of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, The Church of Pentecost, and City of Light Church on the causes, effects, and prevention of drug abuse, with particular attention to its impact on young people.

Speaking at the Presbyterian Church in Beposo, Musah Abass, CEO, explained that the engagement formed part of the commission’s 2026 thematic campaign, “Upholding Our Constitution in a Digital Age, Our Collective Responsibility.” He noted that drug abuse, especially among young people, has become a growing national concern requiring urgent collective action.

According to him, the government, through the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, has launched the “Red Means Stop” anti-drug campaign to curb substance abuse nationwide. He therefore urged the youth to become responsible role models and ambassadors in their communities by staying away from drugs and other social vices that could negatively affect their future.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for members of the congregation to share their views on the issue. Some participants expressed concern over the increasing availability of drugs such as Tramadol on the market and questioned the role of security and regulatory agencies in addressing the problem. Others attributed the growing rate of drug abuse among young people to unemployment and appealed to government to create more job opportunities to keep the youth productively engaged.

At separate engagements held at The Church of Pentecost and City of Light Church in Beposo, Pru West District Director of NCCE, Mr. Dzakpasu Frank, cautioned parents against exposing underage children to drugs by sending them to purchase hard drugs or allowing them to witness drug consumption. He warned that such practices could arouse children's curiosity, leading to experimentation and long-term health and social consequences.

Mr. Frank further called on community members, parents, and religious institutions to adopt a united front in the fight against drug abuse by complementing government efforts and reporting individuals involved in the illegal sale of illicit drugs. He expressed confidence that such collective action could significantly reduce drug abuse cases within the community.

The congregants expressed appreciation to the Pru West Directorate of the NCCE for the timely education and pledged to organize special youth programs in their respective churches for further engagement on the issue.