The continuous abuse of drugs such as tramadol, “red”, and others by the youth remain a major source of concern to the Sunyani Traditional Council as the practice is fast destroying the future of country’s energetic and vibrant young adults.
To this end, the Omanhene of Sunyani, Ɔdɛɛfoɔ Ɔgyeamansan Boahen Korkor II, is appealing to churches to play a lead role in dealing with the canker to safeguard the future of the youth.
The Omanhene believes that counselling units, which used to exist in schools, must be revived to provide psychological support to children at all levels of education and to deepen education about the negative effects of these drugs.
He said notwithstanding the current rate at which drug abuse is gaining grounds among the youth, the situation can be reversed if the churches and other religious bodies take the lead in dealing ruthlessly with the menace.
Ɔdɛɛfoɔ Ɔgyeamansan Boahen Korkor II said these when he joined worshippers at the Wesley Cathedral in Sunyani last Sunday as part of his visitations to the various denominations within the Sunyani Traditional Area.
He announced plans to institute a day of prayer each month to bring all Christians together to pray for peace and development in Sunyani and its environs and entreated all churches to come out in their numbers to participate when the time comes.
He expressed his strong displeasure with the current deteriorated state and declining academic performance of the Methodist schools, which were once among the best in the Sunyani Traditional Area and passionately urged the church to revamp these institutions to restore their former glory.
The Omanhene further said the traditional council will officially launch its education fund by the end of this month to support brilliant but needy children in the area.
The proposed education fund, according to the Omanhene, will not only cater for the tuition fees of beneficiaries but also all other basic education materials required.
The Methodist Bishop of Sunyani, the Rt. Rev. Kwaku Effah, on behalf of the Cathedral, thanked the Omanhene and his entourage for their visit and assured them of the churches support towards the realization of the Omanhene’s vision for the area.
He also assured the Omanhene of the church’s readiness to help fight drug abuse among the youth.
Rt. Rev. Kwaku Effah, however, expressed worry about encroachment on some lands belonging to the church and appealed to the Omanhene to help address the issue.
Earlier in a sermon, the Very Rev. Dr. Solomon Kwasi Bruce called on people in leadership roles to serve with dedication and commitment with a view to leaving legacies behind for future generations.
He was not happy the self-centeredness on many people in leadership positions, adding that: “Real life is other people centered. Whatever you do should be of great benefit to others, not you.”
The Cathedral presented a citation, customized Bible, Note pad and calendar to the Omanhene as part of the service.
