Nana Kumi Akyeaw II, Kyidomhene of the Dormaa Traditional Council and chief of Abesim, near Sunyani, at the weekend raised concern about the upsurge in the peddling and smoking of Indian hemp among the youth in the area.
He noted that this had led to an increase in the crime rate in the area, and appealed to the police to as a matter of urgency redouble their
efforts to bring the situation under control.
Nana Akyeaw made the appeal at the commissioning of a GHC 40,000 police post constructed by the community.
He said the future and development of every community depended on its youth, and there was the need to ensure that "the youth of Abesim are
brought up in a responsible manner so that they can contribute meaningfully in society.
"Apart from wee smoking, alcoholism is also gaining prominence among the youth," Nana Akyeaw said and appealed to parents to guide their children to eschew unproductive lifestyles.
Nana Akyeaw expressed concern about the low standard of education in the area, which he said manifested in the abysmal performance of students in examinations and implored the students to concentrate on their studies.
"We as community leaders are doing our best to help you unearth your God-given talents so do not channel your exuberance into unhealthy
lifestyles," he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police James Oppong Boanu, Director General-Legal of the Ghana Police Service, stressed that modern policing was
a shared responsibility and advised the general public to provide the Service with necessary information about people of questionable character.
"We are going to work hard to enhance the relative peace in Abesim as demonstrated by your willingness as a community, to construct this post," he said.
DCOP Boanu admonished the youth in the area to live productive lifestyles and gave the assurance that, the police were ready to promote the security of Abesim and its environs.
Mr. Kwasi Oppong Ababio, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, advised parents to regard the education of their children as a priority and to
invest their resources in it.