By Edward Dankah, GNA
Accra, June 20, GNA – The Accra Girls Senior High School (SHS) has been crowned winners of the maiden edition of the Narcotics Control Commission SHS Drug-Free Clubs Quiz Competition after an impressive performance that earned the school 44 points.
For emerging champions, the Accra Girls SHS received the Grand Prize of GHS3,000, a trophy, certificates and medals for all contestants, as well as a plaque for the school.
The Presbyterian Boys’ SHS, Legon, placed second with 36 points and received the NACOC Special Award of GHS2,000, certificates and medals for contestants, and a plaque for the school.
Labone SHS secured third place with 35 points and also received the NACOC Special Award of GHS1,000, certificates and medals for the contestants, and a plaque for the school.
St. Thomas Aquinas SHS finished fourth with 32 points and received the NACOC Recognition Award of GHS500, certificates and medals for contestants, and a plaque for the school.
The competition, organised by the NACOC, brought together SHSs from the Greater Accra Region and the contest formed part of efforts by the NACOC to promote drug abuse prevention and awareness among young people through education and healthy competition.
Brigadier-General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, the Director-General of NACOC, announced an additional GHS2,000 support package for each competing school in recognition of their participation and commitment to promoting a drug-free society.
Mr. Sylvester Adinam Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana EXIM Bank, also donated GHS1,000 to each participating school.
In addition, Madam Margaret Ansei, the CEO of Ghana Enterprises Agency, presented packages to all contestants and donated GHS1,000 to each competing school.
The SIC Life Insurance provided a GHS20,000 life insurance cover for each participant in the competition, as part of efforts to support the welfare of contestants.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NACOC, raised concerns over the growing prevalence of substance abuse among students, revealing that more than 36.4 per cent of Junior and Senior High School students in Ghana had experimented with at least two different substances.
He said the findings emerged from a 2019 report by the Consultative Committee to Combat Drug Menace in Schools, which was commissioned to assess the prevalence and incidence of substance use among students across the country.
“The report exposed worrying patterns of drug abuse among young people, with cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol being the most commonly used substances among boys, while girls were more associated with pain relievers, shisha, and alcohol,” he added.
Brigadier General Mantey noted that the findings confirmed that drug abuse among students cuts across gender and social backgrounds, posing a major threat to education, health, and national development.
He disclosed that a significant number of students surveyed reported experiencing stress, which was identified as a major factor driving substance use among young people.
He said the NACOC had over the years intensified sensitisation programmes in schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, lorry stations, and communities nationwide to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse.
Brigadier General Mantey explained that the establishment of the Drug-Free Clubs in schools formed part of NACOC’s long-term strategy to equip students with life skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, emotional resilience, and positive social interaction.
He described the quiz competition as more than an academic exercise, stating: “it is aimed at deepening awareness on substance abuse, promoting healthy lifestyles, and empowering students to become ambassadors against drug abuse in their schools and communities.”
Brigadier General Mantey expressed confidence that the maiden edition of the competition would inspire stronger partnerships and greater commitment towards building a safer and drug-free Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah