Start mandatory drug tests for job seekers - NACOC proposes

Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Alexander Twum-Barimah, has called for mandatory drug testing for all job seekers in Ghana as part of efforts to reduce drug abuse among young people.

Speaking on Adom FM on Monday, May 25, 2026, he said introducing compulsory drug tests before employment could serve as a strong preventive measure against the rising use of illicit drugs in the country.

According to him, both public and private institutions should be required to include drug testing as part of their recruitment process.

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“One of the ways to curb drug abuse is to test people for drugs when they are looking for jobs. Some have even proposed that every Ghanaian institution, whether in the public or private sector, must have some requirements for job seekers to conduct drug tests before employing people to curb the increase in drug usage among the youth,” he said.

He further explained that such a policy should be enforced by the Narcotics Control Commission to ensure compliance nationwide.

“The drug test should also be made mandatory by the Narcotics Control Commission… when the individual fails the drug test, then it will mean they will not be employed. That will be one stop point that will help the country to combat drug usage,” he stated.

Lawyer Twum-Barimah warned that failure to address the growing trend of drug abuse could have serious consequences for the country’s youth population.

“If measures are not taken, there will come a time when our youth will be destroyed by illicit drugs,” he cautioned.

He added that a national agreement on mandatory drug testing for job seekers would significantly reduce drug abuse in Ghana.

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“If Ghanaians agree for every job seeker to be drug tested to become a national policy, it will really help to minimise it if not completely curbed,” he said.

His comments follow growing concerns over drug abuse among young people, with substances such as tramadol, cannabis, and other illicit drugs being widely cited by authorities as a major public health and security challenge.

MAG/VPO

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