GES Urged to Act as Concerns Grow Over ‘Wee Toffees’ in Schools

A growing concern over the reported consumption of cannabis-laced toffees by some students has prompted a call for stronger action from the Ghana Education Service (GES).

The Bono Regional Coordinator of Mental Health, Joseph Yere, is urging education authorities to intensify efforts to prevent students in Junior High Schools (JHS) and Senior High Schools (SHS) from consuming the products.

According to Mr Yere, the reported trend is worrying because some young people who use the substances could develop serious mental health problems.

His call comes amid wider concerns about substance and illicit drug use among young people in Ghana.

Mental health expert raises alarm

Speaking in Sunyani, Mr Yere expressed concern about the level of substance abuse among the younger generation and called for urgent intervention.

He said substance and illicit drug abuse is among the major contributors to mental health problems in the Bono Region.

Mr Yere described drug addiction as a health condition that can require a difficult and expensive recovery process.

He therefore urged parents, teachers, health professionals and other stakeholders to work together to prevent young people from becoming dependent on substances.

The concern is particularly serious when substances are presented in forms that may appear harmless to children.

A sweet or toffee may not immediately look like a drug-related product, which could make it more difficult for parents and school authorities to identify what a child may have consumed.

Why ‘wee toffees’ are raising concern

The term “wee toffees” is commonly used in Ghana to describe toffees or similar edible products alleged to contain cannabis.

The concern surrounding such products is not simply about the appearance of the food.

Cannabis-infused edibles can have delayed and unpredictable effects, particularly when the amount of the active substance is unknown.

For young people, the risks may be even more concerning because they are still developing physically and mentally.

However, every toffee or sweet sold to a student should not automatically be described as drug-laced.

Authorities and parents need to rely on proper identification and evidence before making such claims.

That distinction is important because unnecessary fear can also create problems for students, parents and legitimate food vendors.

Schools face a difficult challenge

Schools remain one of the most important places where early intervention can take place.

Teachers and school authorities interact with students regularly and may notice changes in behaviour, concentration, attendance or academic performance.

But teachers cannot be expected to solve the problem alone.

The issue requires cooperation between schools, parents, health professionals, security agencies and communities.

Schools can also strengthen awareness programmes so students understand the potential dangers of consuming unknown substances.

Students should be encouraged to ask questions about food or sweets offered to them, particularly when the source is unclear.

Parents also have a role

The warning is not only for schools.

Parents and guardians have an important role to play in protecting children from substance abuse.

Changes in a child's behaviour should not immediately be treated as evidence of drug use.

Instead, parents can create an environment where children feel comfortable discussing what they are experiencing at school or among their peers.

Open communication can make it easier to identify problems before they become more serious.

Parents should also know who their children spend time with, what products they regularly consume and whether there have been sudden changes in their behaviour or academic performance.

Avoiding stigma is equally important

While stronger prevention measures are necessary, experts and communities must also be careful about how young people who use substances are treated.

A student struggling with substance use should not automatically be labelled as a bad child.

Substance dependence can become a health and mental health problem requiring professional support.

Punishment alone may not address the underlying issue.

Students who need help should be encouraged to seek appropriate medical and psychological support.

Early intervention can give young people a better chance of recovering and returning to school and community life.

The bigger mental health picture

Mr Yere's warning comes against the background of wider mental health concerns in Ghana.

Substance and illicit drug abuse can contribute to mental health challenges, while people already experiencing psychological difficulties may also become vulnerable to substance use.

This makes prevention and early treatment important.

It also means that discussions about “wee toffees” should not be reduced to school discipline alone.

The issue involves health, family support, education, community awareness and access to professional care.

What schools can do

There are practical steps schools can take to reduce the risks.

School authorities can strengthen education on substance abuse and encourage students to report suspicious products or activities.

Teachers can also work with parents when they notice significant changes in a student's behaviour or wellbeing.

Where there is a genuine suspicion that a student has consumed a harmful substance, the priority should be the student's safety and appropriate medical assessment.

Schools should avoid making public accusations against individual students without evidence.

Any enforcement action should also follow established procedures.

Students need accurate information

Young people are exposed to a large amount of information about drugs through social media and their peers.

Some of that information may minimise the risks.

Students therefore need clear, age-appropriate information about what substances can do to the body and mind.

They also need to understand that products that look like ordinary sweets or food may not necessarily be safe.

The message should not be based on fear.

It should be based on facts, responsible choices and the importance of seeking help when necessary.

A call for collective action

The concern raised by the Bono Regional Mental Health Coordinator highlights a problem that cannot be addressed by the Ghana Education Service alone.

Parents, teachers, health workers, community leaders and relevant state agencies all have a role to play.

Schools must remain safe environments where young people can learn without being exposed to harmful substances.

At the same time, students who are already struggling with substance use need support rather than simply rejection.

The immediate call for stronger action should therefore be matched with prevention, education, early intervention and access to mental health services.

For Ghana's young people, the stakes are high.

Protecting students from harmful substances is not only about keeping drugs out of schools. It is also about protecting their health, education and future opportunities.

Global Pulse GH will continue to monitor developments concerning student welfare, education and youth health and bring readers verified updates.

What Do You Think?

What more should schools and parents do to protect students from harmful substances disguised as sweets or other food products?

Share your views in the comments.