Abesim (B/A), Nov. 7, GNA- Nana Kumi Acheaw II, the Paramount Chief of Abesim Traditional Area, has appealed to the Brong-Ahafo Regional Security Council to help stem the spate of Indian Hemp smoking among children of school going age in the area.
He noted with regret that "Wee" peddling, smoking and the intake of hard drugs had reached alarming proportion among children between the ages of 12 and 16 in the community hence the need for an immediate police post to curb the situation.
He stressed the community's commitment and preparedness to provide accommodation and other resources that would enhance the livelihood of police personnel who would be posted to the area.
Nana Kumi Acheaw said this at the re-launching of 'Kyidom Education Endowment and Development Fund' for the students of Abesim. He said even though the community had set up a watchdog committee to monitor and assess the activities of such children, there was an urgent need for the intervention of security agencies to make the exercise effective.
The chief said anytime the children were arrested, their parents "come to render unnecessary apologies to the traditional council to forgive their wards and this is affecting the exercise." Nana Kumi Acheaw said the children, after using the drug, most times threatened the lives of people with offensive weapons leading to unnecessary tension and expressed the hope that with a police post the problem could be solved easily.
Touching on the endowment fund, Nana Kumi Acheaw said the fund was instituted three years ago with 32 million cedis of which 18 million cedis had been used to support six students in second cycle and tertiary institutions.
Mr George Kwaku Tuah, the Chairman of the fund, said lack of proper supervision had contributed to the low standard of education in the area.