Ghana’s Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr. George Opare Addo, has emphasized the pressing need to combat opioid abuse and protect the welfare of the country’s youth.
Speaking at the celebration of International Youth Day this year, the Minister commended Ghana’s young for their increasing entrepreneurship, creativity, social activism, and community development efforts.
Young people are becoming more active changemakers, spearheading environmental initiatives, promoting social justice, and opening doors for their peers, he said, rather than merely being passive recipients of development programs.
Mr. Addo gave an overview of the Ministry’s efforts to address the growing opioid usage, which he characterized as a major danger to the future of the nation.
In support of awareness, preventive, and rehabilitation initiatives, he welcomed a GH¢500,000 grant from the RNAQ Youth Foundation.
Richard Nii Amarh Quaye, the creator of the organization, made the donation during a ceremony held at the Ministry’s offices.
Over 4,000 Ghanaian adolescents, with an average age of 26, are employed by Mr. Quaye, who issued a warning that opioid abuse is becoming a more serious national issue.
He warned that Ghana is headed in the same direction if immediate action is not taken, based on his experiences in other African nations like Sierra Leone.
Initiatives like food banks and support programs for young entrepreneurs have been actively supported by the RNAQ Youth Foundation; the Minister stated that these efforts are a perfect fit with the Ministry’s aim for youth empowerment.
Source: newsthemegh.com