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El Samuels: MBN360 News
The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has revealed alarming statistics on the health and wellbeing of Ghana’s youth. Speaking at the 2025 State of the Youth address in Accra, Mr. Addo disclosed that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people nationwide increased by 32% in 2024.
The Minister expressed concern that many young people are engaging in risky sexual activities, and testing rates among young men are declining, which could lead to undiagnosed and untreated infections. This trend poses a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of Ghana’s youth.
Mr. Opare Addo also highlighted the growing concern of drug abuse among young people. According to the Minister, 26% of first-time drug users are between the ages of 14 and 15, while 41% are aged 16 to 17. He warned that drug abuse at this stage can have severe consequences, including poor academic performance, school dropout, depression, addiction, and increased risk of violent behavior.
The Minister revealed that substances such as alcohol, marijuana, edibles, and hard drugs like cocaine are easily available on many school campuses. He noted that only 36% of academic institutions have counseling and awareness programs in place, which is inadequate to address the scale of the problem.
In response to these challenges, the Minister announced that his ministry will work with other agencies to develop a national strategy to address STI infections, drug abuse, mental health challenges, and other youth-related issues. The goal is to provide comprehensive support systems that promote the health, wellbeing, and development of Ghana’s youth.
