Interior Minister and Asawase MP, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has disclosed plans by his ministry to propose mandatory drug testing for individuals seeking employment in Ghana’s public sector.
Mr Muntaka said the proposal will be presented to Cabinet through an Information Paper as part of measures to prevent people with active drug-related problems from entering the public service.
He said the move was informed by findings from this year’s security services recruitment exercise, where thousands of applicants were disqualified after medical screening revealed drug use and mental health concerns.
“Very soon, the Ministry of the Interior will be taking an Information Paper to Cabinet, and one of the things that we are going to do is to ensure that nobody gets into public service until we do a drug test on you,” he said.
The Minister disclosed this during the commissioning of a newly constructed six-unit first-floor classroom block at Sakafiya Islamic Senior High School.
According to him, more than 100,000 applicants participated in the recent security services recruitment exercise, which included drug and mental health screening in addition to the usual medical examinations.
He said more than 4,000 applicants tested positive for various drugs, while approximately 2,000 others were disqualified following mental health assessments.
Mr Muntaka described the findings as worrying, arguing that without the additional screening, many of the affected applicants could have been recruited into the security services.
He also revealed that drug abuse is not confined to prospective recruits, noting that some serving security personnel are also battling drug-related challenges.
“Some of the officers that we have in the service, some already are into drugs. And we are taking steps to help them to get out of it,” he said.
He stressed that government would not knowingly recruit and train individuals who were already abusing drugs.
The Interior Minister further raised concern about the spread of drug abuse among students, particularly in senior high schools.
He said some students were reportedly selling substances such as tramadol to their colleagues and urged school authorities to strengthen supervision and pay closer attention to activities that could expose students to substance abuse.
Mr Muntaka also cautioned students against peer pressure and misinformation that drugs such as tramadol and Indian hemp could enhance academic performance.
“Drugs destroy you forever,” he warned, questioning the value of academic success if it comes at the expense of a student’s health and future.
He encouraged students facing financial difficulties and other social challenges to remain hopeful and avoid turning to drugs as a coping mechanism.
“Your future is way ahead of you. Your future is much brighter ahead of you,” he told the students.
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