Traditional leaders in the Upper East Region have joined forces to address the growing problem of drug abuse among the youth, calling for a united community response to curb the alarming trend.
The chiefs made the call when Gifty Atampugbire and her partners organized a training session for frontline health workers and traditional authorities on Mental Health First Aid, Peer Support, and Recovery Services.
Ms. Atampugbire, a Clinical Nursing Auditor and Quality Improvement Manager at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), is also the founder of Healing Wheels – Public Health at Your Doorstep, a nonprofit organization that delivers free primary and mental health services to underserved rural communities.
Chiefs Advocate for Youth Protection and Rehabilitation
Speaking at the event, Nab Francis Asangalisah II, Chief of Chuchuliga, expressed concern about the devastating effects of drug abuse on young people.
“I want to encourage and plead with my fellow traditional leaders and everyone to continue supporting our youth. Don’t shy away from advising them and telling them the truth. If you feel you are not strong enough to help stop this, you are failing your community. We must work hard to bring change to this issue of drug abuse happening in Ghana and the Upper East Region,” he said.
On his part, Naba Sadik Ayine Inusah, Chief of Gambibigo, emphasized that tackling the menace requires collaboration among all stakeholders, including law enforcement.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the District Commander of the Ghana Police Service in the Bolga East District to work closely with us, the chiefs, so that together we can help reduce this canker of drug abuse in our communities,” he noted.
Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Ghana
Ms. Atampugbire was recently selected as a 2025 Reciprocal Exchange Awardee under the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, a U.S. State Department initiative. Through this recognition, she partnered with two mental health professionals from Texas Health and Human Services and Bluebonnet Trails Community Services to conduct the training.
She used the occasion to call for an end to stigmatization against persons with mental illness, emphasizing that inclusive community support is essential to recovery and rehabilitation.
The initiative marks a crucial step in the region’s ongoing efforts to raise mental health awareness in Ghana and strengthen community-based responses to drug abuse.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
