Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for the outright dismissal of students found selling marijuana and other illicit drugs on senior high school campuses, describing the practice as a serious threat to the safety of other learners.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, July 2, 2026, during a debate on rising indiscipline in schools, the minister said such offences should attract the toughest sanctions.
"You'll be alarmed that in some secondary schools, a student will have the courage to go and sell weed, marijuana, cannabis on a school campus. This should merit outright dismissal because if this doesn't happen, he will poison the rest of the students who are completely innocent," he said.
Haruna Iddrisu said the cases of indiscipline in educational institutions is becoming alarming and required urgent intervention.
He cited incidents involving students carrying weapons to school, destroying school property, assaulting teachers and engaging in examination malpractice expose the extent of moral decadence in schools.
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The minister also suggested that the country's disciplinary framework for schools should be reviewed to empower authorities to deal more decisively with misconduct.
"We may have to rethink and review our punishment regime and clothe the Ghana Education Service with authority to deal ruthlessly with any student who misbehaves and finds himself wanting when it comes to the code of conduct of the school," he stated.
According to him, the government is taking steps to address the situation through policy reforms and stakeholder engagement.
He announced that a national conference on discipline in schools will be held in Sunyani before the end of July, bringing together academics, teachers, religious leaders and other education stakeholders to discuss measures to curb indiscipline.
Haruna Iddrisu added that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, is introducing behavioural standards for learners, revising the teachers' code of conduct and finalising a National Safe School Policy to strengthen discipline across pre-tertiary institutions.
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Haruna Iddrisu orders GES to dismiss SHS students involved in marijuana sales on campus
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