The Ministry of Education has called on teachers and school authorities across the country to strengthen surveillance and monitoring of students following growing concerns about drug-related activities within basic and secondary schools.
The appeal comes on the back of recent intelligence and enforcement operations by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), which indicate that drug networks are increasingly targeting educational institutions rather than operating solely through traditional street-level channels.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News programme on Wednesday, June 25, Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Apaak, expressed concern over the increasing abuse of opioids and tramadol among young people.
He described the trend as part of a broader national and global challenge that requires urgent and coordinated action to protect students.
According to Dr. Apaak, the Ministry is working closely with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana TVET Service to strengthen preventive measures and monitoring systems within schools.
He noted that teachers play a critical role in identifying unusual behavioural patterns among students and preventing drug-related activities from taking root on school campuses.
Dr. Apaak further urged school authorities to conduct routine inspections of students’ belongings where necessary to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
“So, within our context, what we are doing through the Ghana Education Service and the Ghana TVET Service is to call on teachers to be very vigilant in monitoring the behaviours of their learners. And if necessary, they should search their bags,” he stated.
He added that the government has already empowered heads of secondary schools to inspect students’ luggage, trunks, chop boxes, and other belongings as part of efforts to restore discipline within the educational system.
The Deputy Minister stressed that tackling the growing threat of drug abuse and trafficking in schools will require a collaborative approach involving teachers, parents, school administrators, community leaders, and security agencies.
He urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant and work together to safeguard students from the dangers associated with substance abuse and drug-related criminal activities
