Gov’t Rolls Out Daily Anti-Drug Recitation in All Basic and SHS Schools

The Education Ministry has made daily anti-drug messages compulsory in pre-tertiary schools as part of a new push to keep substance abuse out of classrooms.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has directed the Ghana Education Service to roll out the measure with immediate effect. It is being implemented under a nationwide Behavioural Change Communication, BCC, campaign run jointly by the Ministries of Education and Interior, together with the Narcotics Control Commission, NACOC.

*What changes at morning assembly*

Under the directive, every public basic and senior high school must recite an approved anti-drug message each school day. The recitation comes right after the National Anthem and before the National Pledge.

It will be done in a call-and-response style. The assembly leader will say: “Don’t start it as a greeting,” and students will respond: “To live in regret.”

The Ministry says the daily exercise is the centerpiece of a broader strategy to discourage drug use among school-aged children, strengthen preventive education, and promote responsible choices. Officials say it will be backed by wider sensitization in schools, community outreach, and closer work with parents, teachers, and local leaders.

“The initiative reflects government’s proactive commitment to protecting learners from the harmful effects of substance abuse and safeguarding their wellbeing,” the Ministry stated.

It is also calling on parents, teachers, and community stakeholders to support the campaign to help create safer, healthier learning environments across the country.