Barimah Osei Hwedie II during his arrival at climax of the 2025 Ejura Sekyerene Festival
The Chief of the Ejura Divisional Council, Barimah Osei Hwedie II, has called for concerted efforts to curb the rising cases of drug abuse in the country.
According to the renowned chief, drug addiction among the youth is destroying Ghana’s future and requires urgent intervention.
Speaking at the climax of the 2025 Ejura Sekyerene Festival, Barimah Osei Hwedie II appealed to the youth to desist from drugs and other social vices that could jeopardise their lives and prospects.
“The current difficulties facing the nation are partly due to the gradual rise in societal indiscipline, especially among the youth,” he noted.
“Drug abuse leads to the deterioration of physical and mental health, an increase in crime rates, social unrest, and the destruction of lives and property.”
Barimah Osei Hwedie II called for a collective and holistic approach by all stakeholders to address the menace, which he said threatens peace and development in Ejura and the country as a whole.
For his part, Odeneho Okyere Kusi Ntrama II, Paramount Chief of the Esumenya Traditional Council, expressed concern over the alarming rate at which energetic young people are losing their lives to illicit drugs.
He emphasised the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in tackling the issue, which poses a serious threat to national development and security.
The Omanhene’s concerns were echoed by Barimah Osei Hwedie II, who also underscored the importance of maintaining cleanliness in Ejura. He urged the Municipal Assembly to ensure that all public spaces are kept clean and that visible nuisances are cleared, especially during National Sanitation Days.