The increasing trends of substance abuse among youth in Ghana including Senior High School students have prompted a response from the Education Ministry and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).

Consequently, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, through his Press Secretary Hashmin Mohammed in a statement shared on June 27,

has directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to introduce a compulsory daily anti-drug awareness message in all senior high schools as part of a nationwide Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) campaign to combat the growing menace of drug abuse in schools across Ghana.

“The initiative forms part of the government’s innovative and proactive response to protecting learners from the harmful effects of substance abuse and promoting safe, healthy, and disciplined learning environments across the country”, parts of the statement mentioned.

It continued that “Effective immediately, students will recite the approved campaign message during morning assemblies, immediately after the National Anthem and before the National Pledge.

The campaign message is as follows:

Leader: "Don't start it as a greeting."

Students: "To live in regret."

The Ministry said the daily recitation forms part of a broader national Behavioural Change Communication strategy designed to discourage drug use among school-aged children, strengthen preventive education, and promote responsible decision-making among learners.

Beyond the daily school-based messages, the campaign will be reinforced through sustained public education, sensitisation programmes in schools, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration between educational institutions, parents, community leaders and other partners.

The Ministry of Education said the initiative reflects government’s commitment to protecting learners from the harmful effects of substance abuse and safeguarding their wellbeing.

It also called on parents, teachers and stakeholders to support the nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating drug abuse in schools and promoting a healthier learning environment for students.