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Drug abuse on the rise among youth in Lawra …3 dead,Paramount Chief concerned
● Naa Puowele Karbo III
The Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area Naa Puowele Karbo III has called on Government and stakeholders in the Upper West Region to implement programmes and policies that would help address substance abuse and its impact on the youth.
He said three young people have died as a result of substance abuse in the Lawra Municipality in 2023, confirming concerns that illicit drug abuse was becoming a serious problem among the youth.
The Paramount Chief made the call during the celebration of this year’s Kobine festival of the Chiefs and People of the Lawra Traditional Area during last weekend.
It was on the theme “substance abuse, impact on human resource management.”
The festival was to give thanks to God and the ancestors for a successful end of the farming year and to welcome another farming season with the expectation of a good harvest.
Naa Karbo III stressed on the need for policy makers to develop social interventions that would create jobs and permanent livelihoods for the youth.
“The cause of the alarming rate of substance abuse especially among the youth can be attributed to the high unemployment rate among them and the frustration of highly qualified students not having access to further education or jobs and the general economic situation in the country”, he said.
The Chief said the effect of the harmful drugs included mental illness, labour diseases, kidney disorders and low productivity among the youth.
He called on development agents to ensure that programmes providing interventions to substance abuse be targeted at the family, schools and communities leaders with the view of raising awareness among peers.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Sallih said the fight against substance abuse was a shared responsibility which required all hands to help fight the menace.
He called on stakeholders in the country to get involved in the advocacy and fight against substance abuse among the youth.
He encouraged the youth to be advocates against the use of drugs among their peers and other youth in their various communities
From Rafia Abdul Razak, Wa
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
