By Daniel Akwasi Nuako
Bibiani (WN/R), Nov. 24, GNA – Okogyeman Kwaku Gyeaprah III, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Chirano Traditional Area, has warned the youth against indulging themselves in the use of substance and illicit drugs.
He gave the warning in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), during the celebration of the 2025 Elluo Festival durbar, at Bibiani in the Western North Region.
It was on the theme: “Our heritage, Our People’s, Our Development.”
According to him, using alcohol and other hard drugs could affect young people’s health, physical growth, educational, emotional, and social development.
The Paramount Chief, who is also the Vice President of the Western North Regional House of Chiefs, stated that the consequences of drug abuse were severe, and that the youth must avoid such acts to help aid the growth of their well-being.
Okogyeman Gyeaprah III, praised Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, for the rich cultural heritage displayed during the Elluo Festival celebration.
As part of the celebration, Ogyeahoho Gyebi II launched an educational endowment fund with a seed amount of GHC500,000 to support education in the area.
The fund, dubbed: “Ogyeahoho Education Fund”, would benefit brilliant but needy students within the traditional area to access quality education and contribute to its holistic development.
Additionally, he donated a seed money of GH₵200,000 and 20 desktop computers to aid in the construction of a state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory centre for students in the area.
The Paramount Chief, who doubles as the President of the National House of Chiefs, said the initiative would ease the financial burden on parents who could not afford to pay the school fees of their children to further their education at the tertiary level.
Ogyeahoho Gyebi II, touching on the theme, underscored the need for the people to protect and preserve their uniqueness and cultural heritage.
Dr Daniel Mckorley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of McDan Group of Companies, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, praised Ogyeahoho Gyebi II for showcasing the rich cultural heritage and his exceptional role in promoting it.
He encouraged the youth in the area to leverage the abundant natural resources to explore economic opportunities to better their lives.
He pledged to offer a GH₵2 million interest-free loans to women in Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area to expand their businesses, and scholarship packages for 10 brilliant but needy students.
Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, the Paramount Chief of Nsein Traditional Area, who presided, urged the chiefs to strengthen their commitment in collaborating with the government in the fight against galamsey in the area.
The Elluo Festival displayed the rich culture of the area through drumming and dancing and was attended by government officials, including, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government and Religious Affairs, Mr Wilbert Petty Brentum, Western North Regional Minister, Mr Bright Asamoah Brefo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, and Mr Afful Benteh Kofi, MP for Sefwi,
Also at the festival were other traditional leaders like Nana Ofori Ahenkah, Chief of Boinzan, who doubles as the Acting President of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council among others across the Western North Region.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/George-Ramsey Benamba