The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has used its 2026 Annual Iftar celebration in Accra to draw national attention to the growing threat of drug abuse among young people.
Speaking through a message delivered on her behalf, the Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sarpong, warned that substance abuse posed a serious risk to the country’s future workforce and called on young people to avoid drugs and make responsible life choices.
The event, held on the theme “Drug Abuse, a Canker in Our Society,” brought together personnel of the Service, students and invited speakers to reflect on the social and health implications of substance abuse.
Mrs Ntow-Sarpong noted that although the Fire Service’s primary responsibility was preventing and managing fires, officers also had a broader duty as citizens to help address social challenges that threaten the wellbeing of communities.
She said the participation of students in the programme made the gathering particularly significant because they represented the next generation of leaders and professionals who would eventually take over key roles in society.
According to her, guiding young people to make responsible decisions during their formative years was essential for safeguarding the nation’s human resource base.
The Chief Fire Officer also praised the Muslim community within the Service for its humanitarian efforts, including plans to donate items to an orphanage in the Central Region, describing the initiative as a demonstration of compassion and service to vulnerable groups.
As part of the programme, a medical expert highlighted the serious health consequences associated with drug abuse.
A physician at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Alhassan Arimiyaw Salifu, explained that substance abuse occurs when chemical substances are used improperly or excessively, resulting in harmful biological effects on the body.
He listed commonly abused substances among young people as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, shisha mixtures and methamphetamine. Some users, he added, also inhale chemicals such as industrial glues and solvents, which can severely damage the lungs and other vital organs.
Dr Salifu warned that prolonged drug abuse could lead to liver and kidney diseases, heart complications, breathing difficulties, mental disorders and hallucinations, and in severe cases, death.
Beyond the health implications, he noted that substance abuse also affected students’ academic performance by reducing concentration and productivity, while contributing to social problems such as crime, robbery and violence.
He therefore called for stronger laws and intensified public education to help curb the growing menace.
During a panel discussion, Khadija Iddris, a lecturer at the Islamic University College Ghana, urged members of the Muslim community to support individuals struggling with addiction by helping them access treatment and rehabilitation.
Also contributing to the discussion, Yahaya Issaku, Director of Human Resource at the Ghana Prisons Service, called for sustained public education campaigns, warning that the country’s development could be undermined if urgent steps were not taken to address drug abuse among the youth.
