The Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarum, has expressed deep concern over the growing trend of drug and alcohol abuse among the youth in his community. Describing the situation as “heartbreaking,” the Chief warned that the future of Bongo and Ghana at large is at risk if the issue is not addressed urgently.
“This is a worry to all of us,” he lamented. “We don’t see the future of our children, especially the youth. Drug abuse has become unbecoming. I don’t know whether it has legalized the abuse of drugs. It’s too serious. It’s too serious.”
Naba Baba Salifu stressed that solving the crisis requires a collective effort from families, the media, and influential figures such as musicians. According to him, musicians in particular must shift their messaging to inspire discipline rather than glorify lifestyles that encourage substance abuse.
“Musicians play a major role,” he noted. “They educate and sensitize the youth through their songs. But what is happening now shows they need to change their mindset towards educating them to desist from drugs.”
He did not spare parents either, highlighting their complicity in the problem. “It is unfortunate that we, the parents, are contributing factors to this problem. If the father is into alcohol, how can he advise the son? He himself is an addict.”
The Paramount Chief further pointed fingers at the proliferation of cheaply distilled spirits, which he said are poisoning the youth. He accused both local and industrial distillers of producing unsafe alcohol that has flooded the markets.
“What they are doing now is mixing chemicals with water and calling it alcohol. This is what is killing our people,” he said passionately. “If it were proper distillation from sugar cane, that would even be better. But this one is pure poison.”
He called on the government to take proactive measures to regulate the production and sale of such substances. “Government must act. They can’t just tax these distilleries and look away while our youth perish.”
Naba Baba Salifu also emphasized that punishment alone will not solve the problem. Instead of jailing offenders, he suggested community-based corrective measures that would reform rather than harden them.
“It’s not a matter of prosecuting and jailing,” he explained. “We must change their mindset. Internal punishments, community service, or other corrections can help more than sending them to prison, where they may return as hardened criminals.”
However, the Chief painted a grim picture of the future if the situation continues unchecked.
“In Bongo here, the youth are all over the streets because of drugs and alcohol. They are supposed to be our future leaders, but if we lose them, then I can say 90% of our future is gone,” he warned.
The Paramount Chief’s appeal is a clear reminder that the fight against drug and alcohol abuse is not just a health issue, but a cultural and generational battle that requires urgent action from all stakeholders.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
