The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has issued a heartfelt appeal to religious leaders across the Northern Region to take an active role in combating the growing threat of drug abuse among the youth.
Speaking during his three-day working visit to the region, the Minister urged faith-based institutions to leverage their moral authority and wide-reaching platforms to educate communities and dissuade young people from falling into addiction.
“Tamale, a city celebrated for its cultural vibrancy and industrious youth, cannot afford to let this menace erode our values or destroy our future,” Alhaji Mubarak told the gathering of religious leaders. “As religious leaders, your influence is invaluable — preach against it.”
The Minister’s remarks follow the release of a BBC documentary which spotlighted Tamale as an emerging hotspot for illegal opioid use, raising national concern about the rise in substance abuse among young people in the north.
His visit to the region aimed to assess the security landscape and engage key stakeholders in collaborative efforts to enhance peace and development.
Alhaji Mubarak emphasized the need for a holistic community-based response to the issue. He called on churches, mosques, and religious institutions to go beyond sermons by initiating practical interventions such as:
- Skills training programmes
- Mentorship initiatives
- Rehabilitation and counselling services
“Idle hands are vulnerable. Our youth need empowerment, not condemnation. Churches and mosques must take the lead in providing alternatives,” he added.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening law enforcement to disrupt the illegal drug trade and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Rev. Fr Dr Wilfred A. Agana of the Catholic Church commended the Minister’s proactive engagement, pledging the Church’s full cooperation in fighting social vices that threaten the moral fabric of society.
“We are always ready to partner with the ministry to address disturbing issues, particularly in the Northern Region,” Fr Agana said.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Northern Regional Muslim Council, Sheikh Alhassan Abukari Issah, affirmed the Muslim community’s readiness to support efforts aimed at curbing the drug crisis.
“We must protect our youth. Islam teaches us to care for the well-being of our neighbours, and drug abuse is an enemy to community health,” he noted.
The Minister’s visit has sparked renewed hope for a coordinated fight against drug abuse through faith-based collaboration, community empowerment, and enhanced security efforts.
As Ghana grapples with rising substance abuse, especially among its youth, government and religious leaders agree that the pulpit — and the power it holds — must be part of the solution.