Apostle Cobi Washington, Founder and Director of Chosen Rehab Center, has called on government to deploy trained counselors in schools nationwide to identify at-risk students and refer them to rehabilitation centres.

Speaking during a drug abuse sensitization program at Accra Academy SHS, Apostle Washington said early intervention is critical to curbing Ghana’s rising youth addiction crisis.

“If we can catch them young, and there are counselors in schools who can guide them and direct them to rehab, then we can say we are winning,” he said. “If we save one, we save ourselves.”

He argued that placing professional counselors in schools would create a direct pipeline for students struggling with substance abuse to get help before their addiction escalates to stronger drugs.

Leverage Media and Corporate Ghana
Washington urged government to use Ghana’s vast media landscape and corporate sector to amplify anti-drug campaigns.

“Ghana has many TV and radio stations. If government can partner with some of these stations, and also compel big telecom companies — MTN, Telecel — to partner with us on a ‘Say No to Drugs’ campaign, we can reach more youth,” he said.

Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region