The paramount chief of the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has cautioned the youth to desist from drug abuse because it is not a good practice.
He has spoken against the use of tramadol and smoking of weed, popularly referred to as ‘wee‘.
The Okyenhene has called for the arrest of persons found smoking wee in the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area including those who sell the substance to the youth, making some of them drop out of school.
Addressing a durbar at the Ohum Festival at Kyebi Saturday, July 21, 2024, the chief outlined the negative impact of indulging in drug abuse, calling for the apprehension of those who smoke and sell at the same time.
“You start killing people with motorbike once you’re induced with ‘wee’ and you even steal money from home to buy it. The tramadol smoking is not good so stop it. We need to arrest those smoking wee for them to stop because it is not a good practice. Stop that attitude. Those who sell the weed to school dropouts should all be arrested,” he indicated.
He also advised against those indulging in illegal mining activities otherwise known as ‘galamsey’.
The Okyenhene questioned how people are using heavy duty equipment which are so visible to indulge in illegal mining but cannot be found and arrested.
Whilst condemning and calling for the arrest of those involved with wee smoking, Amoatia Ofori Panin noted that “it is same with those indulged in galamsey. They must also be arrested. These people do galamsey with heavy duty machines which are visible for all unlike wee which cannot be seen in one’s pocket. So when such people are stealing, they should be arrested.”
He also cautioned against irresponsible parenting that has led to streetism.
“We can’t leave everything to the government, the teacher or the chief. You should be responsible once you give birth to a child. You can’t thrive on the Akan cliche that you’ve brought forth a child to his/her mother and that’s it. Charity begins at home so you can’t say you have no responsibility towards your children. You have to take care of our families, especially the men”
He continued that “elsewhere you’ll be arrested and your income will be taken to take care of the child but it is not like that here so I’ll call on the government to introduce that here. You can’t give birth at Kyebi and abscond to Takoradi to say you’re no more taking care of the child.”
This year’s Ohum Festival coincides with the chief’s 25th Anniversary celebration on his ascension to the Ofori Panin stool.
Meanwhile, the chief cautioned those sabotaging the government’s free SHS to desist from it.
Source:onuaonline.com