The Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Imam, Sheikh Zakaria Ibrahim, has raised alarm over the increasing rate of drug and substance abuse in Ghana, blaming the situation on the weak enforcement of laws against drug trafficking.
According to him, the failure to strictly apply existing legal measures has emboldened drug dealers and worsened the spread and consumption of illicit substances, particularly among the youth. He warned that the current state of enforcement is inadequate to deter traffickers, posing a serious threat to the health, safety, and future of young people.
Sheikh Zakaria Ibrahim condemned individuals who sell hard drugs such as cocaine, tramadol, and other illicit substances to the youth, describing their actions as morally reprehensible. He cautioned that the pursuit of financial gain at the expense of young lives is destroying families and undermining national development, and urged perpetrators to desist immediately.
Beyond drug abuse, the Chief Imam also expressed concern over what he described as a growing culture of indiscipline among the youth. He linked this trend to rising teenage pregnancy, excessive freedom granted to children, and an overemphasis on human rights in child upbringing.
He noted that restrictions on corporal punishment in schools have weakened discipline in classrooms, contributing to declining moral standards among young people.
The Chief Imam therefore called on relevant authorities to critically review and rebalance the freedoms and human rights extended to children, stressing that discipline must be central to grooming responsible and productive citizens. He warned that failure to take decisive action could result in more youths going astray, with long-term consequences for the country.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku