Ghana Minister calls for urgent action on youth gambling
The Minister cited survey results showing that 43.6 per cent of young gamblers reported severe depression, and 68.8 per cent reported severe anxiety.
Ghana.- George Opare Addo, Ghana’s Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, has sounded the alarm on the growing impact of gambling on the mental health of young people in the country. Addressing the nation on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, during the State of the Youth Address in Accra, Opare Addo described the issue as a “national concern that requires immediate attention”.
The Minister cited survey results showing that 43.6 per cent of young gamblers reported severe depression and 68.8 per cent reported severe anxiety. The statistics are based on a 2024 study by researchers at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, which surveyed 403 young adults mostly in the Volta Region. The study, published in BMC Public Health, found that those betting regularly on sports reported the highest distress levels, often tied to losses and the pressure to keep playing.
Opare Addo said: “Gambling has exacerbated mental health problems among our youth. The statistics are revealing, indicating that an alarming number of our young individuals are silently battling depression and anxiety instigated by the pressures of gambling.”
The Minister pointed to the growth of online betting apps, which have seen user numbers double in Ghana since 2022, based on records from the Gaming Commission. He observed that gambling, although frequently presented as entertainment, has turned into a dangerous trap for young individuals looking for quick wealth.
To address these concerns, Opare Addo said his ministry is working with the Mental Health Authority and Gaming Commission of Ghana on a programme set to launch next month. The initiative will include free workshops on budgeting, responsible betting and stress management, as well as the implementation of a national helpline.
He concluded: “The youth of our nation embody not only our current strength but also the cornerstone upon which we construct Ghana’s future. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are mentally robust, socially supported and economically empowered.”
