Michael Abisa
May 6, 2026
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II
President, Bono Regional House of Chiefs
Sunyani, Bono Region
Dear Osagyefo,
I am writing out of deep concern for the Bono Region and with great respect for your leadership. While Nananom work diligently to ensure stability, peace, and development, our youth face a growing threat that undermines our progress.
Across our communities, from Sunyani to border towns and rural areas, there is a concerning increase in marijuana and other drug use among our youth. Many of our future leaders are falling into addiction, while protective systems are not responding effectively.
The Breakdown of Oversight
It is concerning that many parents and community leaders remain passive as this crisis grows. More troubling is the perception that law enforcement is compromised, with reports of officers accepting settlements from offenders and allowing drug peddlers to return to the streets soon after arrest. Additionally, political leaders appear largely unresponsive to the root causes of this issue.
The Danger to the Region’s Future
Nana, the dangers of this trend are significant. Drug abuse among youth results in:
- Irreversible Health Consequences: Increased rates of drug-induced psychosis, respiratory diseases, and neurological damage.
- Security Threats: A direct link between drug use and the rise in petty theft, violent crime, and communal instability.
- The Erosion of Our Workforce: This is a critical threat to the region’s vision. As Nananom advocate for factories, improved infrastructure, and institutional growth, we must consider who will manage these assets. A workforce affected by substance abuse cannot support industrialization. We risk having abundant resources but lacking the skilled people needed to manage them.
A Call to Action
We recognize Traditional Authorities as the most resilient and respected institutions in our region. We respectfully appeal to you, Osagyefo, to use your office to:
- Mobilize Traditional Leadership: Lead a unified effort with all chiefs in the Bono Region to declare a zero-tolerance policy toward drug dens within their jurisdictions.
- Partner with Regional Security: Initiate dialogue with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to ensure police officers who compromise drug-related cases are held accountable.
- Community Vigilance: Re-empower local Asafo groups or community watch committees, under the guidance of traditional stools, to monitor and report suspicious activities without fear of bribery.
If our youth, the inheritance of our ancestors, are lost to drugs, the peace and development we enjoy today will not last. We must act now to reclaim the Bono workforce and ensure the region’s future is managed by capable, healthy individuals.
Respectfully yours,
Dr. Michael Abisa
