Thousands of Ghanaian youths have taken to the streets of Tema, calling on government to urgently intensify its crackdown on the influx of narcotic drugs into the country, which they say is fueling alarming levels of substance abuse among the youth.
The call was made by the Vice President of Citizen Check International, a youth advocacy organisation, Lord Asante Pobee, during the organisation’s 2025 Annual Citizen Check Walk held in Tema in the Greater Accra Region.
Speaking to the media, Lord Asante Pobee charged government to fully implement its reset agenda by strengthening port and border control systems to stem the flow of narcotic substances onto the Ghanaian market. He warned that the growing abuse of hard drugs among young people could soon escalate into a national public health crisis if decisive action is not taken.
According to him, Ghana’s ports and borders must be revamped and properly resourced to make it extremely difficult for drug traffickers to exploit security loopholes for the importation of illicit substances into the country.
The 2025 Citizen Check International Walk attracted an unprecedented turnout, with thousands of youths drawn from the Greater Accra, Central, Western and Northern regions participating in the exercise. The participants walked through major streets of Tema, to raise awareness on drug abuse, youth unemployment and the need for deliberate investment in youth development.
Also participating in the walk was the Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Teddy Safori Addi, who reaffirmed the commitment of the John Mahama-led administration to youth development through targeted policies and programmes rolled out since January this year.
Touching on NADMO’s preparedness for emergencies during the Yuletide season, Mr Addi assured the public that the organisation is adequately prepared. He revealed that NADMO is transitioning from traditional disaster response methods to a more modern, scientific approach focused on disaster prevention, prediction and effective management.
This year’s walk, which was spearheaded by the President of Citizen Check International, Mamudu Muda Abdulla, also drew the participation of several high-profile personalities, including the Member of Parliament for Tema West Constituency, Lawyer James Enu, musician Showboy, as well as other political figures and state security officials.
The organisers say the annual walk forms part of sustained efforts to mobilise young people to speak up against social vices while advocating for policies that promote responsible citizenship and national development.
