Buipewura Jinapor II Urges Action Against Youth Drug Abuse at 17th Annual Damba Festival
Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area and Vice President of the National House of Chiefs, Buipewura Jinapor II, has called on Gonjaland and Savannah Region residents to prioritize peace, education, and a crackdown on rising drug abuse among the youth during the Grand Durbar of the 17th Annual Buipe Damba Festival. He described these as “essential pillars for sustainable development and unity in the region.
Addressing thousands at the event, Buipewura stressed that “peace remains the foundation for balanced development and a prerequisite for unity in diversity,” urging residents to reject conflict and emulate forebears who “divided kingdoms not in strife but in shared purpose.” He warned that without peace, “we have nothing to boast of.
On education, he positioned it as a transformative force, stating that Savannah can only become a “beacon of development” if embraced in all forms. Turning to drug abuse, Buipewura raised alarm over the widespread use of Tramadol, Red 225, shisha, and other substances, calling it a national security threat that risks “losing our youth—and thus our future.”
He urged lawmakers and security agencies to enforce narcotics laws rigorously, echoing his April 2025 declaration that opioid abuse demands urgent, collective action from traditional leaders, government, and society.
Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare reaffirmed government support for regional industrialization, announcing agricultural processing plants, modern storage facilities, and upgrades to Buipe Market as a daily trading hub under the 24-hour economy initiative. She also pledged backing for the Buipe Shea Nut Factory.
Festival Planning Committee Chairman Tamale Dakpema Fuseini Bawa echoed calls for resolving land disputes and tackling youth drug abuse, emphasizing that “peaceful coexistence is the surest path to sustainable development.”
The Damba Festival, celebrating Gonja culture with music, dances, and unity, drew dignitaries, chiefs, and residents, serving as a platform for social and economic commitments amid ongoing challenges like drug abuse campaigns led by figures such as 2024 Queen of the North winner Namawu Bimuka.
