The country is gradually losing its future leaders as some Ghanaian youth spend the little money that comes into their hands on hard drugs.
Concerned by this alarming trend, Onua TV News visited the Accra Timber Market ghetto, where these young addicts live, to hear their stories.
39-year-old mother of one battles addiction
Akosua, a 39-year-old mother of one from Ayenfre in the Ashanti Region, shared her heartbreaking story with Akua Sarpomaa.
“I am from Ayenfre in the Ashanti Region. I came to Accra to seek greener pastures, but the only job I got was carrying wood at the Timber Market. It was there I got access to where they trade drugs. I tried it and became addicted.
“As I speak to you now, I take weed and cocaine and I can’t go a day without it,” she said.
Akosua added, “I don’t remember when I came to Accra or the year I started doing drugs. My son is in Kumasi, I’ve forgotten his age and it’s been a long time since I saw him.
“I wish I could stop but it is not easy.”
22-year-old addicted for 12 years
Kwadwo Mensah, 22, from Agona Nsabaa in the Central Region, also shared how he became an addict.
“I am 22 years old and I started doing drugs at age ten when I followed friends to the ghetto after I left my parents to live my own life. I have been doing drugs for 12 years now and I do all kinds of drugs including weed, cigarettes and tramadol, and now I want to add cocaine.
“I try my best every day, working hard to get money to satisfy my cravings,” he said.
“I have given myself a few months to stop doing drugs and find a better future for myself because I want to marry one day and have children, but I know no woman will accept me in this condition, so I will stop.”
“Look at How I Look Because of Drugs”
Another addict, Yaw Nkansah, also from Agona Nsabaa, said: “I am just 25 years old but look at how I look because of drugs. People sometimes suspect we are thieves because of the kind of life we live. A small boy like me, when I tell you I’ve been doing drugs for the past eight years you won’t believe, but that is the fact.”
Finally, Seth, who sometimes exchanges his belongings for drugs, advised the youth: “Never venture into drugs, because once you enter, leaving is very difficult.”
By Akua Sarpomaa
