The Head Pastor of the Holy Ghost Temple Assemblies of God Church in Bolgatanga, Reverend Dominic Ziba, has expressed deep concern about the increasing intake of illicit drugs and alcohol among young people, describing the trend as a major threat to Ghana’s future.
Rev. Ziba raised the concern while addressing the media during the church’s 15th anniversary celebration, noting that substance abuse is destroying the lives of many youth in the municipality and across the country.
“If you look around us, not only in Bolgatanga but across the country, we are losing a lot of young people to drugs. Some are mentally derailed, not because of sickness, but because of substance abuse,” he lamented.
He described the situation as worrying and cited personal encounters that revealed the extent of drug abuse among young people, some of whom he said could barely function due to intoxication.
According to Rev. Ziba, the church has resolved to intensify efforts to educate and support young people to stay away from drugs and alcohol. He revealed that the church has planned targeted engagements with the youth to educate them on the dangers of substance abuse and to identify the underlying factors driving them into such habits.
“We want to understand the root causes in our communities and see how we can partner with others to help bring these young people out of drug abuse and wayward lifestyles,” he explained.
He called on parents, community leaders, politicians, educators, and other stakeholders to take collective responsibility in addressing the menace, stressing that everyone has a role to play.
“If we all start from our own corners, we can together build a better future for our youth and our nation,” he said.
Rev. Ziba also used the occasion to remind the public of the true meaning of Christmas, urging people to reflect on their relationship with God and one another, live morally upright lives, and show love and forgiveness rather than indulging in excesses during the festive season.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Joshua Asaah | Bolgatanga
