By Benjamin Makafui Attipoe, Sogakope
The South Tongu District Chief Executive (DCE), Victoria Dzeklo has expressed concern about the growing incidence of drug abuse among sections of the youth of the district. According to her, the situation is not only worrying but also negatively affecting the health of the youth.
Speaking at this year’s Eid-Ul-Fitr celebration at Sogakope, Hon. Dzeklo urged religious bodies and organizations in the district to help curb the issue among the youth.
The Muslim community in the South Tongu district was not left out in the Eid-Ul-Fitr celebration. Hundreds of Muslim worshipers gathered at the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) Park to hold open prayers to mark the day.
The Chief Imam for Sogakope, Alhaji Umar Osman led the worshippers to thank Allah for taking them through the one-month period of fasting and prayer. The congregation also offered special prayers not only for the President, John Dramani Mahama and the other leaders and the country but also all Ghanaians irrespective of their religious, social and political affiliations.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Hon. Victoria Dzeklo led a four-member team of officials and some Assembly Members to the event grounds. She later joined the female Muslim worshippers to also offer prayers to Allah for a successful Ramadan celebration.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Hon. Maxwell Kwame Lukutor was represented by a six-member delegation led by the former Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party, Mr. Johnson Ampah.
Addressing the congregation, the DCE, Hon. Victoria Dzeklo commended the Muslims for their resilience and sacrifices that have led to the success of the 30-day fasting and prayer. She thanked the leaders and the entire Muslim community for their prayers not only for the President and his government but also all Ghanaians, the result of which is the peace and harmony Ghanaians continue to enjoy under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
Hon. Dzeklo used the occasion to urge religious leaders and bodies in the district to help reduce if not eliminate the disturbing canker of drug abuse among sections of the youth of the district.
She noted that such acts are not only destroying the health of the youth but also exposed them to all manner of health complications. ‘We expect that our religious organizations such as the Muslim, Christian and traditional authorities would take the issue up and help us educate our children to stop using drugs’, the DCE emphasized.
The MP’s speech was delivered on his behalf by the former Constituency Chairman of the Party, Mr. Johnson Ampah. He used the event to laud Muslims for their contribution to the development of the country, urging that they should continue to be peaceful, law-abiding and also ambassadors of unity not only among themselves but also across the entire population.
Addressing the congregation after the prayers, the Chief Imam in-charge of Sogakope, Alhaji Umar Osman advised the youth to stay away from indisciplined and negative acts such as stealing and robbery and instead concentrate on their jobs and lead lives that are worthy of emulation.
The Tongu Divisional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), ASP Victor Mensah Seke expressed concern about the continuous refusal of a lot of motor riders and other road users to obey simple road traffic regulations in the area. According to him, despite the numerous sensitization campaigns embarked upon by personnel of the Unit over the years, the situation still persists.
ASP Seke disclosed that the time has come for his outfit to enforce the law on road traffic rules and regulations, warning that the police personnel would not accept any individual or group excuses any longer.
The DCE and MP later presented assorted food items including rice, gallons of cooking oil, biscuits and soft drinks to the leadership of the Muslim community towards thei Ramadan celebration.
