Acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of drug abuse among Ghanaian youth, questioning whether the older generation has failed in its responsibility to guide adolescents.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Ghana Bar Association Conference on Monday, September 15, 2025, he highlighted the devastating impact of substance abuse. He called for urgent action to safeguard the nation's future.

"I was shocked to read that while some adolescents consider substance use as fun, some abuse these substances as aphrodisiacs, and others for the confidence it gives them to approach the opposite sex," the Acting Chief Justice remarked.

"To think that these substances pose significant risks to their health, well-being, and development, as well as their future and the nation's, I began to wonder where we went wrong as a country and whether, as adults, we have failed our young ones," he added.

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Citing a 2024 study titled "Prevalence, Correlates, and Reasons for Substance Use Among Adolescents Aged 10 to 17 in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Convergent Parallel Mixed-Method Study," published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, Baffoe-Bonnie described its findings as "grim."

The research, authored by Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi, Frank K Arthur, Nurudeen Alhassan Martey, Prince Mohammed Abubakari, and Nuworza Kugbey, revealed a 12.3% prevalence of substance use among adolescents.

It found that 56.9% of Ghanaian adolescents abuse alcohol, 26.4% abuse cigarettes, 6.5% use tramadol, and 4.8% use marijuana, with other drugs also in play.

The Acting Chief Justice noted that underreporting likely masks an even frightening situation.

He identified easy access to substances, peer pressure, and curiosity as key drivers of the trend, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, communities, and society.

LIVESTREAMED: Attorney General speaks at 2025 Ghana Bar Conference

To address the crisis, he advocated for a multifaceted approach, including education, counselling, rehabilitation centres, and hotlines to support adolescents in overcoming their addiction.

He also called for stringent law enforcement to curb access to illicit substances while promoting alternatives like sports, arts, and cultural programs to help channel the energy of the youth into positive activities.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie emphasised the need to destigmatise addiction to encourage young people to seek help without fear of judgment.

"A society that supports recovery and rehabilitation will break the stigma surrounding addiction and encourage adolescents to seek help," he said.

He urged collective action to protect Ghana's youth, stating that, "together, we can build a Ghana where adolescents thrive free from the quagmire of substance abuse."

GA/VPO

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