The National Liaison Officer between the Ghana Police Service and the Zongo Community, Sarki Alhaji Baba Sule, has called on Muslim leaders, chiefs and Imams to intensify efforts to educate young people in Zongo communities on the dangers of drug abuse.
He said the increasing abuse of substances such as tramadol, marijuana and other drugs among the youth posed a serious threat to the health, faith, future and security of Zongo communities and, therefore, required a concerted response from religious and traditional authorities.
Sarki Baba Sule made the call at Fadama in Accra during the celebration of the Maulid of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) organised under the auspices of the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, on Friday, September 4, 2026.
He expressed concern that the growing involvement of some young people in drug abuse was not only exposing them to serious health consequences but was also contributing to social and security challenges within communities.
According to him, the situation required Muslim leaders to take advantage of their influence and platforms to continuously educate the youth about the physical, psychological, social and spiritual consequences of substance abuse.
Role of religious leaders
Sarki Baba Sule urged Imams to use the Minbar (pulpit) during Friday prayers and other religious gatherings to regularly speak against drug abuse and encourage young people to stay away from substances that could undermine their lives.
He also called on chiefs and traditional authorities to use their palaces and community engagements to reinforce the message, while encouraging other Muslim leaders and opinion leaders to make the fight against substance abuse a priority.
He said the objective should not only be to condemn drug abuse but also to educate young people on the consequences of substance use and provide support for those already affected.
“As we celebrate the birth of the Best of Mankind, who came as a mercy to humanity, let us protect our youth from this menace. Drug abuse is destroying their health, their Iman and their future,” he stated.
Police collaboration
Sarki Baba Sule further called for closer collaboration between Muslim leaders, Zongo traditional authorities and the Ghana Police Service to identify young people affected by substance abuse and help them access appropriate rehabilitation and support.
He stressed that the fight against drug abuse should go beyond law enforcement and punishment, arguing that prevention, education, counselling and rehabilitation were equally important in addressing the problem.
He said the Police Service was prepared to work with the Office of the National Chief Imam and Zongo traditional authorities to develop community-based approaches to tackling the menace.
Protecting the youth
Sarki Baba Sule said the youth constituted an important asset to the Zongo communities and the nation at large, and therefore, every effort had to be made to protect them from influences capable of destroying their future.
He appealed to parents and guardians to pay greater attention to the activities and behavioural changes of their children and wards and to seek assistance when they noticed signs of substance abuse.
He also encouraged young people struggling with drug dependence not to isolate themselves or feel stigmatised, but to seek help through appropriate religious, community, health and rehabilitation channels.
He reiterated the commitment of the Ghana Police Service to strengthen its engagement with Muslim leaders and Zongo communities to promote safer communities and protect young people from the devastating effects of drug abuse.
The Maulid celebration, which brought together Muslim leaders, chiefs, Imams and members of the Zongo community, also provided an opportunity to reflect on the teachings and exemplary life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and their relevance to contemporary social challenges.
