Queen Teiya’s Brightpath Global Foundation Takes Action
Mohammed A. Abu
The maiden edition of Ghana’s Northern Region Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Forum, is scheduled to be held in its administrative capital of Tamale on Thursday,16th April 2026
Held under the theme, “Drug Free Generation — Building Responsible Youth for National Development”, the event is being organised by the Brightpath Global Foundation in collaboration with Total Life Enhancement Centre Ghana (TOLECGH), Aisha Hospital, Tamale, Tamale Teaching Hospital — Mental Health Dept. Ghana Education Service, Northern Region University of Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, among others, and expected to attract between 300 – 400 Student participants.
Event Overview
The event is a high-impact, full-day youth advocacy programme aimed at addressing the growing challenge of substance abuse among young people in Tamale and the Northern Region of Ghana.
Bringing together students from seven Senior High Schools and five Tertiary Institutions, the forum creates a structured platform for young people to engage directly with policymakers, health professionals, rehabilitation experts, and community leaders on the realities, consequences, and solutions to drug abuse.
Students will hear from seven speakers, witness two drama performances, receive presentations from two rehabilitation centres, hear personal testimonies from rehabilitated former drug users, experience a poetry performance, and participate in facilitated breakout sessions — leaving equipped with knowledge, awareness, and a commitment to peer advocacy.
Commenting on the event,the Executive Director of Brightpath Gobal Foundation and Ghana Most Beautiful Winner 2022,Queen Teiya ,disclosed that, the day’s programme would herald in an outreach programme endeavour that would entail moving to the field to identify victims of drug abuse who require assistance in other to quit the scourge and as well as, those whose current conditions require urgent rehabilitation support.
” Sponsorship and collaborative partnership is therefore deemed as very crucial for Brightpath Global Foundation at this material moment” she intimated.
Why This Forum Matters
Substance abuse is one of the most urgent public health challenges confronting young people in Northern Ghana today. Urban centres like Tamale are witnessing a rapid rise in youth exposure to illicit substances, prescription drug misuse, and peer-driven influence.
The consequences — declining academic performance, mental health deterioration, and lost futures — are already visible in our schools and communities. The NYDAPF 2026 is designed to change that — not with lectures and pamphlets, but with evidence, testimony, dialogue, and the power of young people speaking to and for each other.
Expected Outcomes
- 300–400 students directly engaged in drug abuse prevention dialogue • Strengthened youth awareness on health, legal & psychological consequences • Students equipped with practical peer advocacy skills • Direct access to rehab professionals and expert speakers • Policy visibility through regional government & dignitaries • Broad public awareness through TV, radio & digital.
Programme Highlights
- Seven expert speakers from government, youth development, health, and civil society. • Two live drama performances by Senior High Schools dramatising peer pressure and the consequences of substance abuse. • Presentations by two rehabilitation centres — Dr. Susana Annan and Mr. Peter Mintir Amadu. • Personal testimonies from two rehabilitated former drug addicts — the emotional core of the forum. • Ten facilitated breakout sessions on peer resistance, stress management, and youth advocacy. • Poetry by Osman Elham and a post-event evaluation for impact reporting.
Media & Outreach
- 20 branded flex banners across all 12 institutions and public locations in Tamale. • 1,000 infographic booklets distributed to all participants. • Three television stations providing broadcast coverage nationally and regionally. • Two photographers and a dedicated videographer for full documentation.
Guest of Honour: Hon. Ali Adolf John, Special Guest of Honour Northern Regional Minister
Speaker Line Up
Speaker 1 — Hon. Imoro Abdulai Adams, Speaker 2 — Hajia Alima Sagito, Speaker 3 — Banasco Seidu Nuhu Speaker 4 — Ewura Adams Karim Speaker 5 — Mr. Robert Kampi Laari
Presentations
Rehab Centre 1 Presentation — Dr. Susana Annan, Rehab Centre 2 Presentation — Mr. Peter Mintir Amadu
Testimonies
Testimony 1 — Rehabilitated Former Drug Addict Testimony 2 — Rehabilitated Former Drug Addict
Partners & Supporters
- Total Life Enhancement Centre Ghana (TOLECGH) • Aisha Hospital, Tamale • Tamale Teaching Hospital — Mental Health Dept. • Ghana Education Service, Northern Region • National Youth Authority (NYA) • TV3 (3 Media Group) & GH One TV • Access Bank Ghana • STAR-Ghana Foundation • Plan International Ghana