NCCE Shama Sensitizes Market Women on Drug Abuse, Child Trafficking and Proper Waste Disposal

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Shama District Office, has called on market women at Aboadze and Abuesi to take an active role in protecting children, preventing drug abuse, and promoting proper sanitation within their communities.

The call was made, when the District Office engaged market women in Aboadze and Abuesi as part of a public sensitization exercise on drug abuse, child trafficking, and proper waste disposal.

Speaking during the engagement, the officer in charge, Miss Grace Ahenakwah, noted that a strong and thriving community depends on three key foundations: mental well-being, the protection of children, and a clean and healthy environment.

Drug Abuse Threatens Community Development

Addressing the issue of drug abuse, Miss Ahenakwah expressed concern about the increasing involvement of young people in the use of narcotics and other harmful substances. She described the trend as a major threat to mental well-being and a setback to the social and economic development of communities.

She explained that the abuse of substances such as tramadol, marijuana, and other opioids does not only affect the health of users but can also have serious consequences for families and society. These consequences, she noted, include poor academic performance, school dropouts, strained family relationships, petty crime, and other social vices.

Furthermore, Miss Ahenakwah cautioned that substance abuse can increase young people's vulnerability to other forms of risky and exploitative behavior, including teenage pregnancy, violent crime, and human trafficking. She stressed that young people struggling with drug dependency often require appropriate counselling and rehabilitation to successfully reintegrate into society.

She therefore urged the market women, particularly in their roles as mothers, guardians, and caregivers, to closely monitor the activities, movements, and peer associations of their children and wards.

She also encouraged parents to maintain open and honest communication with their children, explaining that strong relationships and trust can help parents identify early warning signs of substance abuse and other challenges.

Additionally, she called on the women to report suspected cases of drug abuse and drug peddling to the appropriate authorities, including the Ghana Police Service and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC). She further encouraged families to support affected persons in seeking professional counselling and rehabilitation rather than stigmatizing them.

### Call for Responsible Waste Disposal

Touching on sanitation, Miss Ahenakwah cautioned that improper waste disposal poses serious risks to public health and could contribute to the spread of diseases such as cholera.

She urged the market women to dispose of waste responsibly and support efforts to maintain clean market spaces and surrounding communities. According to her, maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of individuals, businesses, and local authorities.

Protecting Children from Trafficking

On child trafficking, Miss Ahenakwah emphasized that the practice is not only a violation of Ghana's laws but also a serious infringement on the fundamental rights and dignity of children.

She therefore urged the women to remain vigilant and pay attention to activities involving children within their communities. She encouraged them to report suspected cases of child trafficking promptly to the appropriate authorities to protect children from exploitation and abuse.

In conclusion, Miss Ahenakwah called on the participants to take proactive steps towards building safer, healthier, and more resilient communities. She emphasized that civic responsibility begins at the community level and that every citizen has a role to play in protecting children, promoting healthy lifestyles, and maintaining a clean environment.