The youth in the La Dade-Koto­pon Constituency have been advised against the use of drugs and partici­pating in other negative practices, which might hinder their future aspirations during the Homowo celebrations in the area.

“Desist from engaging in drugs, violence, and other activities which might influence your lives negatively,” says the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah.

She gave the advice on Thursday during the distribution of assorted food items, including bags of maize, smoked fish, and palm fruits to eighty clan-houses in nine quar­ters in the constituency towards this year’s festival.

The beneficiary quarters include Abese, Kowe, Klannaa, Abafum, Nmati Dzrasee, Nmati Abonase, Leshie, Agbawe and Anahor.

Making the presentation, Ms Sowah who was in the company of the Municipal Chief Exec­utive (MCE) of La Dade-Ko­topon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA), Alfredos Nii Anyetei, said the gesture was a collabora­tion between her office and the Assembly to support the indigenes to prepare their traditional food ‘Kpokpoi’ for the season.

“The gesture is our regular assis­tance to the clan-houses towards the traditional ‘Homomo’ festival due to the cultural importance of such an occasion to the people of La and all Ga-Dangme communi­ties,” she said.

Ms Sowah, who is also the Deputy Minister of Local Govern­ment, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, asked beneficiaries to extend “a hand and heart of love” to their non-Ga neighbours to celebrate with them.

The MP stressed the need for residents in La, especially indi­genes, to be united, law-abiding, and make peace with one another to foster unity for the common good of constituency in particular, and Ghana in general.

“Be each other’s keeper like brothers and sisters from the same parents, no matter where each is coming from, so as to raise and develop La,” she said.

Mr Anyetei, cautioned the youth against alcoholism and other substance abuse due to the high health risks it poses on the individual.

“There is an upsurge of alcoholism and substance abuse among the youth in the municipal­ity, and this could result in several health risks to the user since it was not a prescribed medicine by a health practitioner,” he said.

The MCE, who doubles as the Chairman of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), as­sured residents and visitors before and during the celebration of a 24-hours of security at all electoral areas towards the festival.

“The Assembly will not tolerate any kind of disturbances because no one would be spared in case of any signal of chaos,” he warned.

This year’s Homowo celebra­tions of the people of La came off on August 26.