By Emmanuella Sarfo
The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South, Ernest Adomako, has urged the Ministry of Education to introduce random hard drug testing among Senior High School and tertiary students, as part of efforts to address the alarming rise in substance abuse among learners.
Speaking to journalists, Mr. Adomako expressed deep concern over the growing trend of drug use in educational institutions, warning that it threatens the long-term impact of Ghana鈥檚 Free SHS policy and the future of the nation鈥檚 workforce.
鈥淭he Ministry of Education should at least do some random tests anytime they vacate, and these children are coming back to school. The government is spending so much amount of money on this free education, so that these kids can grow and become useful for our nation. But the rate at which they are engaging in drugs, smoking of weed, red.
He pointed out that without timely intervention, the country may face a growing burden on its mental health system, with increased admissions into psychiatric facilities stemming from drug-related complications among youth.
Mr. Adomako proposed extending the drug testing initiative to university students and even to National Service recruits in public institutions as a means of ensuring accountability and protecting Ghana鈥檚 human capital.
鈥淲e spend lots of money on these kids, and later they become a liability to this country. If we have to spend money on these kids, we have to spend wisely on those who are serious about studying and not on those we pay their fees, and then after school, they go mad. And the government need to spend money on psychiatric hospitals.”
“Free education is draining our economy. I think we should extend to our universities and to the extent that before you do your national service in any government agencies, we test your blood to know that you are not engaging in any hard drugs because it is destroying their future,鈥 he stated.