The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has raised alarm over the growing link between gambling and mental health challenges among Ghana’s youth, describing it as a “national concern that demands urgent attention.”
Delivering the State of the Youth Address in Accra on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, the Minister revealed that 43.6% of young gamblers suffer from depression, while 68.8% report experiencing anxiety — figures he described as “deeply worrying and symptomatic of a generation in silent distress.”
“Gambling has increased mental health issues among our young people. The numbers are telling us something — that too many of our youth are struggling silently with depression and anxiety triggered by the pressures of gambling,” he said.
Mr. Opare Addo noted that while gambling is often presented as entertainment, it has become “a dangerous trap for many young people seeking quick wealth.”
He said the ministry is working with the Mental Health Authority and the Gaming Commission to design interventions that combine financial literacy, mental health education, and responsible gaming campaigns.
“As the Minister responsible for youth development and empowerment, I am obliged to initiate conversations about how our teeming youth are faring in this country,” he stated. “This conversation must lead to policies that inspire, equip, and empower our young people to unleash their potential for national development.”
He emphasized that addressing gambling-related distress forms part of government’s broader Reset Agenda, which prioritizes building a “resilient, productive and inclusive society.”
“The youth of our country represent not only our present strength but also the foundation upon which we build Ghana’s future,” he said.
“Our duty is to ensure that they are mentally strong, socially supported, and economically empowered,” he added.
The Minister’s remarks come amid growing concerns about the proliferation of online betting platforms and their aggressive marketing strategies targeting young people.
