By: Murtala Issah
The Nanumba North District Security Council has set up a committee to tackle a surge in drug abuse in the area.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Assembly, Abdulai Yaqoub, who doubles as the Chairman of the District Security Council, says the menace of drug abuse is threatening the security of the district and called on all stakeholders to join hands in addressing the canker.
Mr. Yaqoub was made these remarks at the graduation ceremony of the Bimbilla College of Education (BIMBICO) where the first batch of degree Bachelor of Education students passed out after four years of training to become professional teachers.
The 363 graduands demonstrated their academic mettle by producing 16 first class students, which is unprecedented in the history of the school.
Addressing the graduands at a ceremony at BIMBICO, various speakers took turns to encourage the graduands to strive to mold their pupils into responsible citizens and to help their communities tackle the increasing menace of drug abuse.
The Bimbilla College of Education (BIMBICO) was inaugurated in 1962 by the Presbyterian Missionaries, as one of the first colleges of education along the Eastern Corridor of Northern Ghana. Over the years, the school has served its constituents with distinction, producing professional teachers who have contributed to the development of the nation.
Despite the efforts of teachers in the area, the Nanumba North District Security Council has revealed that, they are struggling to contain a surge in drug abuse among the youth of the area.
The theme for the graduation ceremony aptly captured the challenge facing the College’s immediate environment.
“Saving the youth of Ghana from the shackles of Drugs: the role of the teacher trainee,” was a clarion call for the graduands.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Nanumba North District Assembly, Abdulai Yaqoub, wasted no time in pointing out the task ahead of the newly trained teachers.
We are not just folding our arms or throwing our arms in despair, we are coming to take action, we are coming to take action and it requires collective effort. It is not the MCE alone, or the Police Commander, or the military commander, these are people from families, they have mothers and fathers.
“As I speak to you, a committee is being formed and if you are in Bimbilla from next week, you will hear that, action is being taken on people who are into drugs,” he revealed.
The Acting Synod Moderator, of the Upper Northern Presbytery of the EP Church, Rev. S. Y. Amafo-Dey, expressed worry about drug abuse among the youth in the country and called for concerted efforts to address the canker.
The Principal of the Bimbilla College of Education, Dr. Ibrahim Gurundoo, said despite significant improvement in the provision of basic amenities in the school such as water and ICT infrastructure, the school continues to struggle with some infrastructural deficits.
Cash prizes and medals were given to all first class gra duands while some staff of the school were also rewarded for their distinguished service.
