The National Youth Organiser of CPP, Oteng Anane has called on the NPP government to put more resources into combat of narcotics in the country. Mr Oteng Anane said drug trafficking and abuse are on the rise which is threatening to derail the nation’s development.

Speaking on youth unemployment and drug abuse, the National Youth Organiser of the CPP said the use of narcotics among the youth is frightening and stated that if the trend continues, Ghana could be faced with major crisis. Oteng Anane said by creating more training and employment opportunities for the youth that the government can crack down on the high incidence of narcotic use among the young people in the country.

Mr Oteng Anane stated that narcotic drugs; especially heroin and cocaine are finding their way into the country from South America which criminal syndicates are using as transit route between Asia and Western countries. He said many young people that he has come into contact with falsely believes that heroin and cocaine trade are profitable and thus more are being drawn into this illicit trade. Oteng Anane urged the government to invest more resources in the law enforcement agencies, especially the boarder guards, customs and Ghana Navy in order to strengthen their capacity to deal with the drug barons and traffickers.

The CPP youth leader said the CPP will set up a National Youth Committee to get more young people in Ghana to get engaged in politics and to make their voice heard through national youth forums. Oteng Anane explained that illicit narcotic trafficking into the country is leading to rise in violent crimes and other anti-social activities among certain section of the youth and said this present a new threat to national security.

Mr Oteng Anane said the CPP will give special anti-narcotic agencies and courts powers to seize and confiscate properties and other assets of drug barons and traffickers and use the proceeds for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers. Oteng Anane said the use of narcotic among the youth in Ghana is worrying. He accused NPP of ineptitude and said the CPP is the only party that can address the needs of young people.

On youth unemployment and underemployment, the youth leader said the figure is far higher than the government admits and challenged the NPP to tell the Ghanaian people of their achievement since 2000. Mr Oteng Anane said the Ghana’s reforms towards market oriented economy and middle income status by 2015 cannot be achieved if they are not matched by adaptation of the right curricula. Mr Oteng Anane said the low quality of education available to Ghanaian youth is leading to lack of skills and questioned the NPP educational policies since 2000.

Mr Oteng Anane said the CPP will provide out-of-school training for those young people who decide to choose the vocational route. He said training activities would be offered in areas such as bricklaying, carpentry, auto mechanics and agriculture/livestock farming.

Mr Oteng Anane said Ghana’s youth have a great wealth of talent which can be tapped into to the benefit of the nation by providing them with the necessary skills. Mr Oteng Anane said those between the ages18 – 35 were the most likely to become active as entrepreneurs and said the CPP operates open door policy where everyone is welcome.

Mr Anane stated that the CPP will promote self employment and entrepreneurial skills among the young people by granting them access to education and finance. Mr Oteng Anane said the CPP is a social democratic party and stated that the party believes in social justice as well as rewarding hard working men and women.

Mr Oteng Anane said the CPP 7 year development plan aims to turn Ghana into a middle income country and prosperity for all.