"Partner with YEA to educate youths dangers of illicit drugs" – Ga Mantse to Ghana Prisons Service Boss

The Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has urged the Ghana Prisons Service to collaborate closely with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) to intensify public education on the dangers of illicit drug use among the youth, in order to prevent unnecessary incarcerations.

According to the King, the increasing rate of drug abuse among young people—particularly the use of substances such as “red” and other harmful drugs—must be tackled through community sensitization and preventative measures, rather than waiting for arrests and imprisonment.

He made the call when the newly appointed Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (ESQ), paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Accra on Wednesday.

“I want to appeal to you to partner with the Youth Employment Agency in their campaign against the use of illicit drugs. Let us intensify education so that our youth are not arrested and sent into prisons. Prevention is better than cure,” the Ga Mantse emphasized.

Commending Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie on her historic elevation as the second female Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, the King described her as a woman of wisdom and expressed confidence in her leadership. He encouraged her to ensure that prisons across the country are maintained in good shape and serve their purpose of rehabilitation and reform.

The King further appealed to the Director-General to consider allocating a quota for the Ga State during recruitment into the Ghana Prisons Service to enable more Ga youth to serve their nation through the institution.

“This is your home, and we would be glad if more of our youth from the Ga State are given the opportunity to serve,” he said.

On her part, the newly appointed Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (ESQ) noted that they already have a campaign called stay behind the bars.

She stressed that the Prisons Service frequently visit schools to educate the school children to stay away from deviant behaviours and use of illicit drugs.

"We are however more than ready to partner with YEA. We have the content already created"

The delegation which paid the courtesy call on the Ga Mantse include; The Director General of Prisons, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq), Director of Prisons in charge of Services, Mr Benedict Bob-dery, Director of Prisons in charge of Technical, madam Gloria Essandoh, Director of Prisons in charge of Operations, Mr Francis Selorm Hagbe, Director of Prisons in charge of Welfare, madam Millicent Owusu, Deputy Director of Prisons, Charlse Ameyaw, the Chief Legal officer and Assistant Director of Prisons, Michael Osei Akoto.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith