The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South, Ernest Adomako, has called on the Ministry of Education to introduce random hard drug testing among Senior High School and tertiary students as a measure to address the rising trend of drug abuse in educational institutions.
Speaking to journalists, the MP expressed concern that the growing prevalence of substance abuse among students could negatively impact Ghana’s future workforce.Ghanaian fashion
He warned that the country risks losing the long-term benefits of the Free Senior High School policy if urgent steps are not taken to tackle the issue.
Mr. Adomako, therefore, urged the government to implement immediate interventions to curb the disturbing development.
“The Ministry of Education should at least do some random tests anytime they vacate, and these children are coming back to school. The government is spending so much amount of money on this free education, so that these kids can grow and become useful for our nation. But the rate at which they are engaging in drugs, smoking of weed, red.
“We spend lots of money on these kids, and later they become a liability to this country. If we have to spend money on these kids, we have to spend wisely on those who are serious about studying and not on those we pay their fees, and then after school, they go mad.
And the government need to spend money on psychiatric hospitals. Free education is draining our economy. I think we should extend to our universities and to the extent that before you do your national service in any government agencies, we test your blood to know that you are not engaging in any hard drugs because it is destroying their future,” he stated.
