The Greater Accra Zongo Chief, Sarki Dr. Alhaji Yahya Hamisu Bako, has called for collaborative efforts to combat drug peddling, abuse, and addiction in Sabon Zongo, a community within the Ablekuma Central Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
During a meeting aimed at exchanging knowledge, sharing experiences, and brainstorming solutions, the Chief and his cabinet emphasized the need to address the widespread availability and use of illicit drugs, which have negatively impacted sanitation, security, and overall development in the area.
The discussions centered on identifying the root causes of drug trafficking and substance abuse.
Sarki Dr. Alhaji Yahya Hamisu Bako emphasized that past efforts to tackle the menace had yielded little to no results. He revealed that he had engaged with the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, about drug-related activities involving members of the Chief Imam’s family in the community.
According to him, the Chief Imam granted him permission to take any necessary action within his family residence to address the issue.
The Zongo Chief also refuted allegations that he and some of his cabinet members had been accepting bribes from drug peddlers in exchange for protection. He challenged anyone who had given him money in the past to come forward and reclaim it if the claims were true. He urged the youth to actively contribute to finding sustainable solutions to eradicate the problem.
The youth participants at the meeting advocated for a multi-faceted approach involving both societal and government support to ensure effective law enforcement. According to them, an approach that includes community engagement, government intervention, and stronger law enforcement would help tackle the crisis effectively.
They expressed concern over the increasing involvement of teenage children, particularly those between 12 and 13 years old, in drug abuse and addiction.
The influx of drug users from other communities into Zongo, they noted, has led to negative influences and the recruitment of underage boys and girls into illicit drug activities.
However, some residents of Sabon Zongo expressed skepticism about the initiative, describing it as a “nine-day wonder.” They noted that similar meetings had been held in the past with little to no impact, often worsening the situation. They urged the government to collaborate with the Chief to address the crisis, warning that widespread drug abuse poses a serious threat to national security.
The residents further stressed that meaningful leadership and sustainable development cannot be achieved in a community where a significant number of youth are involved in drug abuse.
