The Kyidomohene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, who also serves as the Chief of Sefwi Nsuosua in the Western North Region, Nana Elluo Panyin III, has urged the leadership of the Ghana Pharmacy Council to take immediate action to address the escalating issue of drug abuse among the youth.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Western North Regional Pharmacy Council in Sefwi Wiawso, Nana Elluo Panyin III voiced deep concern over the troubling behaviour exhibited by some young people in the region, linking it directly to illicit drug consumption.
“The impact of drug abuse on the youth cannot be overstated,” asserted Nana Elluo Panyin III, noting its wide-ranging consequences, from academic underperformance and increased dropout rates to heightened crime and violence.
Recognizing the pivotal role of pharmacists in healthcare, the Kyidomhene underscored the importance of leveraging their expertise and influence to curb the misuse of pharmaceuticals.
Nana Elluo Panyin III emphasized the urgent need for the Pharmacy Council to intervene decisively to curb this menace, which poses a significant threat to the well-being and prospects of the region’s youth.
Responding to the impassioned call-to-action by Nana Elluo Panyin III, the Acting Registrar of the Pharmacy Council, Dr. Daniel Amaning Dankwah, assured that proactive measures were already underway to combat drug abuse, particularly in the Northern Regions of Ghana.
Dr. Dankwah highlighted the origins of the problem, pointing to the porous border between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire as a major conduit for illicit drugs.
He pledged swift action, indicating that enforcement teams would soon be dispatched to clamp down on illegal drug activities.
Furthermore, Dr. Dankwah underscored the Pharmacy Council’s commitment to ensuring strict compliance with licensing regulations, stating that unlicensed drug stores would face imminent closure as part of the enforcement efforts.
By Kwame Bomassah | UNIIK Fm.
