By Michael Kofi Kenetey
The Member of Parliament for the New Juaben North Constituency in the Eastern Region, Nana Osei-Adjei, has called on religious leaders, especially church leaders, to join the fight against the use of illicit drugs — particularly “Red” — among the youth in the country.
He noted that the church plays a critical role in child upbringing, hence the need for religious institutions to actively engage in advocacy against the use of illicit drugs, which are destroying the future of Ghana’s youth.
The New Juaben North lawmaker made these remarks during the Easter Saturday Service of the 2025 Easter Convention of the Koforidua Area of the Christ Apostolic Church International, held at the Koforidua Effiduase Prisons Park in the New Juaben North Municipality.
Nana Osei-Adjei urged the church to use their pulpits to preach against drug abuse and also encouraged traditional leaders to take advantage of festive occasions to speak out against the menace among the youth.
He further appealed to the Christ Apostolic Church International to continue praying for the nation, the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature to help preserve the peace the country has enjoyed over the years.
On the issue of child upbringing, Nana Osei-Adjei lamented that despite the increasing number of churches across the country, cases of indiscipline among children and the youth appear to be on the rise.
He recalled that decades ago, parents consistently sent their children to Sunday School, where they were taught the word of God and values such as respect, courtesy, and modest living — virtues that instilled discipline and decency among young people in those days. However, he noted, such practices have declined in contemporary times.
Nana Osei-Adjei therefore charged parents, the church, and all religious institutions to re-examine their approaches to child upbringing and take proactive steps to train the younger generation to become responsible citizens in the future.
The church, during the service, prayed for the country, President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, and Nana Osei-Adjei himself, wishing them good health and success in their leadership.
