The growing use of shisha, e-cigarettes, and other harmful substances among young people in Ghana has triggered calls for a nationwide ban to protect their health and future.
Leading the call is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, who has raised serious concerns about the rising trend of substance abuse among the youth.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Newsroom with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Saturday, July 5, 2025, Mr. Ayariga expressed serious concern about the increasing trend of substance use among the youth, describing it as a dangerous threat.
He strongly believes that products like shisha and e-cigarettes pose serious health risks and should not be allowed.
“The issue of substance abuse has become very teething and pivotal so far as the NYA is concerned. I have heard various health arguments that [shisha] is very unhealthy for young people. So, anything that will be unhealthy to young people, I will always subscribe that it should be banned. This is a national conversation we need to have”, Mr. Ayariga demanded.
To tackle the problem, Mr. Ayariga revealed that the NYA is working closely with security agencies to clamp down on the supply and use of illegal drugs in the country.
“As I speak to you, there’s an operation happening in Accra, a joint operation by national security and some agencies have crackdown on some ghettos. We’re in constant collaboration with the police, Customs, and Immigration,” he disclosed
In addition to law enforcement, the NYA is increasing public education and awareness campaigns across the country. These campaigns aim to help young people understand the serious consequences of drug abuse.
“We need to educate our young people to let them know that they can be addicted,” Mr. Ayariga stressed.
But the NYA’s role does not end at prevention. The authority also offers support for those recovering from substance abuse. Mr. Ayariga explained that the NYA helps rehabilitated individuals gain new skills and find jobs so they can rebuild their lives.
He called on the media to support this fight by spreading awareness and promoting positive behavior.
“Safeguarding the mental health and well-being of Ghana’s youth must remain a national priority,” he said.
His call comes at a time when global health experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), are warning about the dangers of shisha and vaping. Shisha smoke has been found to contain large amounts of toxic substances, including carbon monoxide and heavy metals, sometimes even more harmful than regular cigarette smoke.
E-cigarettes, too, are known to contain nicotine, which is addictive and harmful to brain development, especially in teenagers.
This concern is not new. In 2023, Ghana’s Minister of Communication, during an interview on Joy News, also criticized the growing use of shisha among the youth.
“I am going to say something that the Ghanaian youth will not be happy about. They are very irresponsible when it comes to our health care and our life choices. The people who have developed kidney challenges are no fault of theirs, but the majority of the young people reporting with these things is just horrible irresponsible life choices.
They are smoking like locomotive engines. They have dumped cigarettes and jumped onto that thing called shisha. And it is killing them. You drive around Accra and East Legon and you see young people putting off steam like locomotive engines all in the name of fashion.”
Over 10 million Ghanaian youth, is now more exposed than ever to these harmful substances, often influenced by social trends and misleading advertisements.
