The Tema Community 25 Lions Club has fostered a strong spirit of collaboration and unity among various Lions and Leo Clubs in a determined effort to combat drug abuse among Ghana’s youth.
This August, dedicated globally to youth empowerment, the club launched its High School Youth Drug Abuse Sensitization Program under the theme Say No to Drugs – Embrace Life. The campaign has drawn admiration from clubs across Tema, rallying their support for a cause that resonates deeply with schools, families and communities alike.
Reflecting on the journey so far, President of the Tema Community 25 Lions Club, Lion Dr. Ralph Tettey-Amlalo, told YFM’s Kobina Baidoo that the partnership with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) places the initiative at the intersection of passion and expertise. “With FDA we are able to enhance the message and help them make the right choices for their future. This is not something that should only happen in the month of August. Drug abuse is becoming a real problem, but we have seen the effect… quite frankly, I got the idea for this campaign while watching TV in a barbershop and I saw Mrs. Delese Darko, the former CEO of FDA, giving a talk on drug abuse. That’s how this idea was birthed. We reached out to her and she helped us with resource personnel to help push this initiative.”
Having already engaged students at Kpone Senior High School and Chemu Senior High School, the initiative has been met with enthusiasm and commitment from other Lions Clubs. President of the Tema Executive Lions Club, Lion Dr. Rejoice Lawer, noted the importance of guiding young people as they grow. “The youth is our future so we really need to take good care of them. I will encourage parents to take good care of their wards and have time for their wards.
“These days parents are always busy, but I would encourage them to get closer to their wards, show them love and get into what they are doing.” She further noted that young people often turn to drug abuse because they find a sense of belonging elsewhere that is missing at home. “When parents step in the gap and draw them closer, advise them and bond with them, it will go a long way to help in avoiding such involvements.”
Club President of the Tema Greenwich Lions Club, Lion Dominic Kumedzro, expressed his club’s strong backing for the campaign. He warned that if drug abuse among Ghana’s youth goes unchecked, it could undermine both social and economic progress. “Drug abuse has a social impact and economic impact on the country. Socially, we have young people who are supposed to attain high levels and help the country be leaders, serve as change-makers, be innovators and we might lose them if they fall to the effects of the drug abuse canker. Economically, when they are affected, we would have to pay for the care and medical bills of these youth who have fallen to the effects of drug abuse.”
He indicated that drug abuse canker in Ghana, will soon stifle the social and economic impact of Ghana should it go uncheck as the progress of these values are firmly hinged to conditions of sustained youth. “Statistics tell us that the youth of Ghana have been greatly affected… Back in 2017 some statistics I saw said that of 50,000 people in Ghana, 35,000 engaged in drug abuse were from Junior High, Senior High and Tertiary institutions, which makes it very prevalent in Ghana’s youth populace.”
From the youth wing of the Lions Club, Leo Richard Okai-Leos District President, emphasized the need for targeted strategies to counter the appeal of drug abuse. He noted that peer influence, social media, and celebrity behaviors often glamorize harmful practices which in hand serves as a need for intensified efforts in this fight. “Our campaign so far is a very positive one and I think that it is going to be of great help to the children. I have realized that some people are really not aware of the effects of drug abuse. Through this campaign we are seeing a positive change of mind.”
With two successful school engagements already completed, the Tema Community 25 Lions Club, supported by the FDA, is now preparing for its third outreach at Ashaiman Senior High School which will take place on August 13, 2025 determined to keep building momentum and deepening its impact in the fight against drug abuse.
By: Kobina Baidoo
