Newly installed Adanta Hemaa of Larteh Ahenease in the Akuapem Traditional Area, Nana Afua Afframea Asamoah, has appealed to young people to stay away from hard drugs and substance abuse, warning that drug addiction is destroying the health, potential, and future leadership of the youth.
Speaking during her coronation ceremony at Larteh Ahenease in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region, Nana Afua Afframea Asamoah urged the youth to prioritize education and make responsible choices that would enable them to become productive members of society.
According to her, drug abuse has the tendency to transform promising young people into societal burdens instead of future leaders capable of contributing to national development.
She stressed that the increasing abuse of hard drugs poses a serious threat to communities, as it not only damages the physical and mental health of users but also contributes to crime, poor academic performance, and social instability.
The queen mother noted that young people are particularly vulnerable because their brains are still developing, making them more susceptible to addiction and its long-term consequences.
Nana Afua Afframea Asamoah exchanging pleasantries with dignitaries
She explained that substance abuse often leads to declining academic performance, school absenteeism, examination failure, and, in many cases, school dropout.
She further observed that drug addiction frequently causes conflicts within families, erodes trust between parents and children, and exposes young people to legal problems and even fatal overdoses.
Nana Afua Afframea Asamoah therefore called on the youth of Larteh Ahenease and the wider Akuapem Traditional Area to reject hard drugs and other harmful substances in order to safeguard their health and secure a brighter future.
“I encourage every young person to take education seriously and avoid drugs because they only destroy lives and rob individuals of their future,” she advised.
Also addressing the gathering, the Benkum Hemaa of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Nana Ampem Darkoa, appealed to the youth to embrace their cultural heritage and indigenous traditions, describing them as vital pillars for preserving Ghana’s identity and promoting unity.
She expressed concern over the growing influence of foreign cultures on the lifestyles of many young people, warning that the trend is gradually eroding Ghanaian values, customs, and traditional institutions.
Nana Ampem Darkoa, Benkum Hemaa, Akuapem Traditional Area
Nana Ampem Darkoa dismissed the perception that indigenous traditions are incompatible with Christianity, insisting that traditional leadership and customs are not evil.
She explained that chieftaincy is a divine institution and urged young people not to abandon their cultural roots.
“My advice to the youth of Larteh and the entire Akuapem Traditional Area is that chieftaincy and our indigenous traditions are not evil. They should proudly embrace them to help preserve our cultural heritage and ensure that traditional stools remain within their rightful royal families,” she stated.
In her acceptance remarks, Nana Afua Afframea Asamoah expressed gratitude to the Larteh Ahenease Traditional Council for the confidence reposed in her through her installation as Adanta Hemaa.
She pledged to serve with humility, dedication, and integrity while working closely with traditional authorities and residents to promote peace and accelerate development in the community.
Following the installation ceremony, Nana Afua Afframea Asamoah was formally introduced to the Chief of Larteh Ahenease and Benkumhene of Akuapem, Osabarima Enyine Asiedu Okoo Ababio III.
The colourful ceremony drew traditional rulers, opinion leaders, community members, and dignitaries from across the Akuapem Traditional Area, who gathered to witness the installation and celebrate the new queen mother’s ascension to the stool.
By 1960news.com
