The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has raised alarm over a sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Ghanaian youth, revealing that cases increased by 32% in 2024.
Delivering the 2025 State of the Youth Address (SOYA) in Accra on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the Minister described the development as a serious public health concern that highlights the growing trend of risky sexual behavior among young people.
According to Mr. Opare Addo, the surge in infections is particularly troubling because testing rates among young men are declining, leading to many undetected and untreated cases. “The data shows that more young people are engaging in unprotected sex, and fewer are getting tested. This combination is a ticking time bomb,” he said.
The Minister also linked the rise in STI infections to the increasing prevalence of substance abuse among teenagers and young adults. He revealed that 26% of first-time drug users are aged 14 to 15, while 41% fall between 16 and 17 years — ages that represent a critical stage in youth development.
“Drug use at these early ages impairs memory, learning, and emotional control, leading to poor academic performance, risky sexual behavior, and in some cases, addiction and violence,” Mr. Opare Addo cautioned.
He explained that substances such as alcohol, marijuana, edibles, and even hard drugs like cocaine are now easily accessible to students. While some schools offer awareness and counselling programs, he noted that only 36% of institutions currently have such support systems, which he described as woefully inadequate.
The Minister emphasized that the government is determined to reverse this worrying trend. He announced that the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment will collaborate with relevant agencies to design a comprehensive national strategy aimed at addressing STI infections, substance abuse, mental health issues, and other youth-related challenges.
“We cannot stand by while our youth face growing health and social risks,” he stated. “Protecting the wellbeing of young people is essential to securing Ghana’s future.”