The Nkawie Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Joshua Semenyo, has cautioned the youth, particularly members of the Cadet Corps, against drug abuse, warning that the practice could jeopardise their health, future careers and aspirations to join the security services.
He said the abuse of illicit drugs could have serious physical and psychological consequences for young people and undermine their ability to pursue meaningful careers.
Chief Superintendent Semenyo explained that young people aspiring to join the security services must maintain high standards of discipline and physical fitness, stressing that drug abuse could result in their disqualification during the recruitment and screening processes.
He made the call during a joint health walk and aerobics exercise organised by the security services in the Nkawie area of the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality in the Ashanti Region.
The exercise was aimed at promoting physical fitness, healthy lifestyles and stronger collaboration among the various security agencies as part of efforts to enhance their capacity to prevent and combat criminal activities in the municipality.
Chief Superintendent Semenyo urged the youth to resist peer pressure and other influences that could lead them into drug abuse.
He said the consequences of substance abuse extended beyond individual health concerns, as it could affect the future prospects of young people and prevent them from achieving their career ambitions.
He particularly advised members of the Cadet Corps, who are being exposed to the values of discipline, patriotism and service, to take their personal health seriously.
“If you want to join the security services, you must stay away from drugs because drug abuse can affect your health and also disqualify you from being recruited,” he cautioned.
He encouraged parents, teachers and community leaders to intensify education on the dangers associated with drug abuse and support young people to make responsible choices.
Fight against crime
The Divisional Commander also cautioned members of the public against engaging in criminal activities, stressing that the police remained prepared to deal with persons who threatened the peace and security of the community.
He said the police would continue to work with other security agencies and residents to maintain law and order and protect lives and property.
Chief Superintendent Semenyo urged residents to cooperate with the police by providing relevant information on suspected criminal activities in their communities.
He said such collaboration was essential to preventing crime and creating a safe environment for residents, businesses and institutions to thrive.
He further urged young people not to allow themselves to be recruited into criminal activities, warning that involvement in crime could have serious consequences for their future.
Fitness and collaboration
The health walk and aerobics exercise brought together personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service and members of the Cadet Corps.
Participants walked through the principal streets of Nkawie before engaging in aerobics and other physical fitness activities.
The exercise formed part of efforts to promote regular physical activity among security personnel and encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Participants said maintaining good physical fitness was important for security personnel because their duties often required strength, endurance and readiness to respond to emergencies.
Some participants expressed satisfaction with the initiative, saying regular health walks and aerobics could help improve their physical fitness while also providing an opportunity for personnel from different security agencies to interact outside their routine duties.
They said a physically and mentally fit security service would be better positioned to respond effectively to criminal activities and emergencies.
The participants also supported the call for the youth to stay away from drugs and other activities that could compromise their health and future prospects.
Promoting unity
The exercise also provided an opportunity for the various security agencies to strengthen their cooperation and promote unity among their personnel.
The participation of the Police, Fire Service, Immigration Service and Cadet Corps demonstrated the importance of inter-agency collaboration in maintaining public safety.
The organisers said activities of that nature could also help improve public confidence in the security services by bringing personnel closer to residents.
Chief Superintendent Semenyo encouraged the security personnel to remain physically fit, disciplined and committed to their duties as they worked to safeguard lives and property in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality.
He said maintaining peace was a shared responsibility and urged residents, particularly the youth, to support the security agencies in their efforts to prevent crime and keep the community safe.
