Mr Alfred Abugre Ndago, a former Principal of the Saint John Bosco's College of Education in Navrongo, has called on senior citizens in the Upper East Region to guide the youth against the abuse of tramadol.

He described the use of the painkiller among the youth as “terrible,” and observed that the abuse of tramadol in the current generation was alarming, adding that “let us guide the youth, particularly those of us who have youth who indulge in various forms of drug abuse”.

Mr Ndago made the call when he chaired the 58th commemoration of Ghana’s Republic Day Celebration in Bolgatanga.

It brought together about 200 former and current government appointees, some retired civil and public servants from all districts of the Region.

He warned that if the abuse of tramadol by the youth was not addressed by all stakeholders including senior men and women in the region and across the country, it would soon be a national crisis, and the future of the youth would be in jeopardy.

He expressed worry that the behaviour of some youth these days makes one wonder the kind of upbringing and home they come from, and charged the senior men and women to live exemplary lives and serve as symbols of peace in their various communities.
He said children should not be born and left to chance without parental guidance and wise counsel to direct their path in life. “Let us be proud that we are producing people with integrity, people who will grow to take over the command of this Region and make the Region blossom,” he added.

“As Senior citizens, we are sources of emulation for the youth, and we form a basis for those who are behind us to emulate the example that we have chalked.
“Certainly, many of us are proud to say that we have contributed our best to the development of this country.”

Mr Ndago said it was pleasing that they had gathered together as senior citizens, and entreated his colleagues to use the occasion to reflect on their stewardship and contributions to the development in various departments in the Region and country as a whole.

Mr Rockson Ayine Bukari, the Upper East Regional Minister, urged the youth to emulate the examples of the senior men and women who had contributed to the development of the Region during their days in active service.

He said the Nana Addo-led Government’s vision of “Ghana beyond Aid” would continue to recognize and honour the sacrifices and inputs made to the growth and development of the nation by senior citizens.

“In this regard, I wish to assure you that Government is committed to its pledge to develop and implement policies for the aged, and mainstream ageing issues into the framework and strategy of national development.”