Hope Foundation GH, a non-profit civil society organization, has extended its campaign against drug abuse and crime with a visit to Labadi Youth Camp and the Kpaguri Electoral Area in the Wa Municipality.
The visits formed part of the Foundation’s outlined routine interactions to sensitize youth camps, communities, schools, and other social institutions on the dangers of drug abuse and crime.
The Foundation visited the Labadi Youth Camp in Wa on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, followed by an outreach at the Kpaguri Electoral Area on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
The engagement with Labadi Youth Camp, a group of young people, featured a comprehensive discussion on the dangers of drug and substance abuse and the harsh realities of imprisonment.
Through videos and pictures, which attracted a large crowd and ensured the message reached a wide audience, the camp members and the public who attended the program witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of substance abuse and the struggles faced by those incarcerated for related crimes.
Speaking at the event, ASP Majeed Alhassan, Executive Director of Hope Foundation GH, emphasized the correlation between drug abuse and crime, noting that improper use of drugs and substances is becoming increasingly common in the Upper West Region, particularly in Wa Municipality.
"There is a relation between drug abuse and crime. In Wa Municipality, the issues of drugs are becoming too common. We have partnered with the Food and Drugs Authority, Narcotics Control Authority, and the Ghana Education Service to combat this growing issue," he said.
The camp members expressed gratitude to the Hope Foundation for bringing such an educative event to their doorsteps and pledged to be ambassadors against drug and substance abuse and crime in the Wa Municipality.
On Friday, August 2, 2024, the Hope Foundation GH also visited Fongu, Council Area, in the heart of Wa to engage with community members and young people on the subjects.
Meanwhile, the Foundation's visit to the Kpaguri Electoral Area, at the invitation of the Assembly member and unit committee members, saw massive attendance from both the young and old which demonstrated the community's keen interest in addressing drug abuse and crime.
The Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Dr Hassan Rashid Pelpuo, together with some constituency executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were present at the event to lend support to the initiative.
Dr. Pelpuo seized the opportunity to admonish the community members and young people on the importance of avoiding crime and drug abuse in particular.
He also emphasized the correlation between drug abuse and crime which have the potential of landing an individual into prison.
"Prison is not what you think. It is a place of severe hardship. I commend Hope Foundation GH for their outstanding work in educating our youth and community members," he said.
The Assembly Member for the Kpaguri Electoral Area, Mr. Osman Nurideen expressed his appreciation to the foundation for its efforts in combating crime within the Municipality and for honouring his invitation to interact with his community members.
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