The Paga Youth Movement has pledged its full commitment to support security agencies in the Kassena-Nankana West District to clamp down on drug trafficking and other criminal activities threatening the peace and development of the area.
The Movement, which is a non-partisan, development-driven youth association in the area, noted that drug trafficking was a major concern to the movement due to its widespread illicit trade in the township and its adverse impact on the youth and will support efforts to curb the menace. The pledge was made when the newly elected executives of the association paid a courtesy call on the Paga Sector Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in Paga to introduce themselves and explore areas of collaboration for maintaining security and harmony in the district.
Mr Wenawome Aborah, Chairman of the Paga Youth Movement, commended the GIS for their dedication and service to the community, stating that the Association recognised their sacrifices and was ready to partner them in safeguarding lives and property. “We are committed to helping you crack down on drug traffickers.
We have gathered intelligence on how they operate, including the activities of some individuals within the district. We also know about the invisible hands that are undermining the work of officers in addressing the drug menace,” he said. He added that the youth movement would work to expose such influences and support officers to combat the illicit trade, which he described as “a major problem destroying our youth.” Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) Mr William Kwame Sabi, the Paga Sector Commander of the GIS, commended the youth movement for their resolve, noting that security was a shared responsibility that required active community participation.
He said the movement had collaborated with the service in many instances and expressed gratitude for their commitment to assist in providing timely information to aid the arrest of offenders of the law. “Once we live in the same community, preventing crime is better than responding after it had occurred.
We need you to help us identify and bring offenders to justice,” the Commander said. At a separate visit to the Kassena-Nankana West District Assembly, Mr Stephen Aeke Akurugo, the District Chief Executive (DCE), appealed to the youth movement to support the Assembly in protecting public lands from encroachment. He urget them to work closely with traditional leaders and other stakeholders to resolve land-related disputes, stressing that the lack of secured lands had already hindered the establishment of certain government institutions in the district.
In response, the Chairman pledged the Movement’s readiness to engage landowners and community elders to secure and demarcate public lands, assuring the Association’s preparedness to offer financial assistance, where necessary, to facilitate land documentation processes and ensure smooth acquisition for development purposes. He, however, appealed to the Assembly to champion the call on the government to complete the Agenda 111 hospital project in the district, expedite work on the Paga Senior High School girls’ dormitory and upgrade it into a boarding facility, and improve the state of roads.
He also called on the Assembly to help establish an Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) pay point to curb illegal connections and collaborate with the Ghana Water Limited to resolve the persistent water crisis in the area. He assured the DCE that the Movement would collaborate with the Assembly, traditional leaders, and security agencies to maintain a peaceful environment, free from the threats of drug trafficking, land disputes, and other vices that could undermine the progress of the district.
GNA