News
Youth should keep away from murder (Final Part)
A murderer literally smears his fingers with blood, attracts a generational curse, keeps himself or herself perpetually in chains and soils one’s reputation in the eyes of the public.
The act is so repugnant, unchristian, a demonstration of wickedness, unwillingness to forgive and complete disregard for human life.
One of the greatest temptation the youth encounter is the danger of being enticed to indulge in the perpetration of inhumane acts under the influence of drugs and without serious consideration of the matter.
This prevents them from making critical analysis of issues and acts before they jump into executing them.
False Benefits
Some of the youth have found themselves in this quagmire because of false assurances given by spiritualists to help them to get rich quick.
They are eager to acquire wealth and look good in the eyes of the public without necessarily working for it.
Some spiritualists are cunningly promising unsuspecting youth to spill blood in return for money.
The youth should keep themselves in readiness to face the challenges of life by remaining submissive to their parents at home and do same while at school.
In addition to that, they should remain glued to their books and study hard to surmount all academic hurdles.
These are the means by which the youth can extricate themselves from the clutches of
poverty, focus on the professions that they might have acquired and be content with their work.
A friend intimated that when he was at school, he took much delight in writing examinations and always made sure that he studied hard and strive to become a shining example at school.
Society’s reaction
In our towns and villages which have sizeable population to manage, people who committed murder were banished from the town and the natives ensured that they did not return to cause further nuisance.
This single act dents the reputation of the murderer’s family and the succeeding generations. The situation gives cause for people to raise eyebrows whenever they are about to deal with any member of that particular family.
The stigma usually associated with such families leaves much to be desired, though not through the machinations of members of that generation.
In modern times, the law would take its course and murderers who are apprehended would be imprisoned if found guilty.
Why should a young person fail to work hard and rather become envious of the toil and hardship of others, and finally put himself or herself in trouble?
The youth should know that the determination to work hard in life, no matter the circumstances, lies in their hands.
This is the opportune time they have to take their education seriously to enable them to live better and fulfilled lives.
By Raymond Kyekye
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
