Mr Emmanuel Frimpong, the Tano South Municipal Chief Executive in the Ahafo Region, has expressed concern about the growing trend of substance abuse and peddling among young people in the Municipality.

He called for effective stakeholder collaboration to stem the menace and protect the lives of the youth.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the First Ordinary Meeting of the Second Session of the Assembly at Bechem, the Municipal capital, Mr Frimpong said the rising trend of use of illicit substances among the youth in the area, remained a serious security threat.

He explained that the Assembly through the Department of Social Welfare had intensified public education to sensitise the people about the effects of substance abuse, however the menace was still on the ascendancy.

Mr Frimpong called on the security services to help dismantle the pockets of Indian Hemp smoking joints within the municipality, as the Assembly resourced and empowered the Social Welfare to carry on with the public sensitisation.

He said the dangers of youth abusing such illicit substances were enormous, on both individuals and the larger society, and urged the media to use their various platforms to intensify sensitisation on the health hazards of substance abuse.

Mr Frimpong also stressed the Aassembly’s commitment to ensuring that construction works on some abandoned physical development projects in the municipality resumed and were completed.

Earlier, Mr Charles Asiedu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano South Constituency urged the people to eschew partisan politics in the decision making and development process of the municipality.

He emphasised that his doors were always opened to all, irrespective of their political affiliations and urged the people to offer constructive criticism and suggestions that would transform the development of the area.

Mr Asiedu said: “Development is not about NDC or NPP” and urged the people to shun unhealthy partisan politicking that could potentially drawback development efforts.

He pledged his commitment to collaborate with the relevant institutions to set up an annual award to recognise and appreciate deserving health workers and teachers, to promote quality healthcare service delivery and education in the municipality.

Mr Asiedu said the award would be organised devoid of partisan considerations and to inspire the workers to do their best.