Ghana: NACOC Director-General warns of escalating drug abuse among youth, 16,300 users in Ashanti Region
Major General Maxwell Obubia, Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission NACOC, has issued a warning about the increasing drug abuse crisis among young Ghanaians, stating that over 82,500 people nationwide are addicted to illicit drugs. Speaking at the National Youth Conference in Kumasi, Major General Obubia highlighted that substance abuse is diminishing the human resource potential vital for Ghana's future. Research from 2025 by the University of Ghana School of Public Health indicates that the Ashanti Region alone accounts for 16,300 of the 82,500 drug users. The data also revealed that 10 percent of those affected are teenagers around 15 years old. In 2025, 1,569 individuals received formal rehabilitation and medical treatment for severe drug addiction. Notably, this group included three medical doctors, two pharmacists, and three nurses, illustrating that drug addiction affects individuals across all professions. Major General Obubia urged young participants to avoid narcotics due to the severe physiological, mental, and career damage they cause. He called for collaboration among community leaders, parents, educational institutions, and religious bodies with NACOC to enhance public education and dismantle drug peddling networks near schools and residential areas. The National Youth Conference focused on strategies for youth empowerment, moral rebuilding, and national transformation.
