Alhaji Ahmed Osman Maiwada Masala II among some of the state actors within the region
Alhaji Ahmed Osman Maiwada Masala II, the Takoradi Zongo Chief, has called on state actors within the region to intervene in addressing the rise in illicit drug use among Zongo youths.
He said the situation was having a negative effect on their health, hence the need for effective collaboration—particularly with security officials—to clamp down on those involved in the sale of such drugs within these communities.
Alhaji Masala, who is also the President of the Western Region Heads of Zongo Chiefs, made the appeal when he led other Zongo Chiefs in the Western Region to pay a courtesy call on the Regional Minister at the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC) in Sekondi.
He said, “In recent times, illegal drug dealers are gradually invading our communities to sell these substances to our youth. We are appealing to you to intervene and curb this situation because it is destroying our young people.”
He assured the Regional Minister of the chiefs’ commitment to establishing a healthy working relationship with the government to help bring much-needed development to the Zongo communities.
Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, assured the chiefs and people of the Zongo communities in the Western Region of the government’s commitment to addressing the development challenges confronting them through strategic policies and interventions.
He said the government recognized some of the issues in those communities and had already introduced pragmatic and pro-poor policies aimed at changing the narrative.
He mentioned the reduction of Hajj fares as one of the major policy interventions demonstrating the government’s commitment to putting in place appropriate mechanisms to improve the welfare of those in the Zongo communities.
The minister appealed to the chiefs to collaborate with the government to promote unity, peace, and tranquility in the Zongo communities and the region as a whole, for sustainable development.
