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Chief declares zero tolerance for substance abuse , alcoholism in Zuanungu
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The Paramount Chief of the Zuarungu Traditional Area, Naba Billia-Maaletinga Afegra III, has declared zero tolerance for drug abuse and alcoholism, describing the menace as an escalating crisis threatening the future of the youth in the area.
According to him, substance abuse among young people has assumed alarming proportions, with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and society at large.
He said the situation demanded urgent action, stressing the need for traditional authorities to rise to the occasion by enforcing a total ban on drug use and excessive alcohol consumption in Zuarungu to save the youth from a menace that has already claimed many lives and rendered others “useless” in the community.
Naba Afegra III made these remarks at this year’s N’daakoya Festival, held on Saturday in Zuarungu, the capital of the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region. The festival was celebrated on the theme: “Youth Mobilisation and Empowerment: The Total Resurrection of Zuarungu – A Cornerstone of Our Region’s History.”
The N’daakoya Festival, a significant cultural event in the life of the people of Zuarungu, is celebrated annually to thank God for a successful farming season and to seek His guidance for the year ahead.
The event attracted participants from all walks of life and featured colourful cultural performances that showcased the rich heritage of the people.
“Substance abuse among our youth is of grave concern to me. My aim is to bring this fight directly to our communities, schools, and homes,” Naba Afegra III stated.
“From today, I am declaring a zero-tolerance stance against substance abuse throughout our traditional area,” he added.
To enforce this policy, the chief announced that committees would be established and empowered to serve as vigilant watchdogs against drug abuse and alcoholism, ensuring that the youth focus on building meaningful and productive careers.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would help secure a prosperous Zuarungu that would contribute significantly to national development.
The Paramount Chief also used the occasion to commend the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for their continued commitment to youth development in the area.
“The library project and the astroturf field project are near completion. The government under President John Dramani Mahama has also performed creditably in ensuring the appreciation of our common currency, the cedi, against major trading currencies, particularly the United States dollar,” he noted.
He further appealed to landowners to willingly release land for the construction of a new market and car park, which, he said, would benefit residents, reflect the status of the area, and expose the district to the international community.
FROM FRANCIS DABRE DABANG, ZUARUNGU
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct made against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The allegations were made by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.
In a brief statement, the OSP said it has also received a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions from other persons, in relation to the same allegations.
“Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the statement said.
The development comes amid a heated public feud between the Minority in Parliament and the leadership of GoldBod over the operations of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority, led by Afenyo-Markin, has accused GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana of causing a loss of over $1.7 billion, citing the International Monetary Fund’s August 2026 report. The Minority has vowed to pursue the matter as Parliament has reconvened for an emergency sitting.
GoldBod, on the other hand, has rejected claims by some NPP MPs, including Tano South MP Dr Gideon Boako, that it owes the Bank of Ghana GH¢1 billion in overdrafts, describing the claim as “false and malicious.”
In the latest twist, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of extortion and related conduct, an allegation that has triggered petitions to the OSP.
The OSP is mandated under Act 959 to investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving public officers and politically exposed persons.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
