29/08/2026
NERYN Takes Youth-Led Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign to Gbemsi
North-East Regional Youth Network (NERYN) has commenced implementation of its youth-led community awareness and dialogue campaign on drug abuse, with Gbemsi serving as the first community engaged.
The campaign builds on NERYN’s sustained efforts, with support from YEFL-Ghana, to raise awareness about the growing concerns surrounding the sale, access and misuse of drugs among young people across the North East Region. With support from the Empowerment for Life (E4L) Programme, the current campaign is reaching communities through public awareness activities and open dialogue, creating space for young people and community members to discuss the issue and identify practical solutions.
Yesterday, in Gbemsi, the team began by paying a courtesy call on the Chief and his elders, where they introduced the campaign, discussed the growing concerns around drug abuse among young people, and sought their support and blessings for the initiative.
The engagement was followed by a public awareness walk, during which young people carried placards bearing messages such as “Stop Drugs,” “Red Means Stop,” and “Choose Your Education, Choose Your Health.” The walk provided an opportunity to take the campaign’s message beyond the meeting space and engage the wider community on the importance of making healthy and responsible choices.
The team subsequently facilitated a community dialogue on drug abuse, with the support of a resource person. Participants reflected on the causes and effects of drug abuse, its implications for young people's health, education, livelihoods, safety and wellbeing, and measures that individuals, families and communities can take to prevent drug-related harm and support young people who may be affected.
The engagement in Gbemsi demonstrates the important role young people can play in mobilising their peers, raising awareness and contributing to healthier, safer and more resilient communities. It also reinforces our network’s commitment to ensuring that young people are key agents in identifying and advancing solutions to issues affecting their lives and communities.
The campaign continues in Walewale and Tinguri! Our resolve remains strong.
