Help curb India hemp planting in Mpasaso —Nana Gyansah
The Paramount Chief of Mpasaso in the Ahafo-Ano South District in the Ashanti Region, Nana Tabiri Gyansah III, has called on the Ahafo-Ano District Security Council (DISEC) to help curb the cultivation and use of Indian hemp in the area.
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He has pledged the traditional authority’s support towards any effort to check the cultivation of the plant.
Nana Gyansah made the call at a durbar to inaugurate a five-unit bungalow for staff of the Mpasaso Health Centre at Mpasaso.
The facility, which cost GH¢₵80,000, was funded by the former Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr Stephen Balado Manu, from his share of health fund under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The residential facility, which took two years to complete, would accommodate at least five staff members of the health centre who previously had to travel from far away or rent accommodation in the community.
Use of Indian hemp
The paramount chief said the cultivation and usage of Indian hemp had led to increase in crime in the district, especially at Mpasaso and its surrounding communities.
Mpasaso, a farming community, alone recorded over 40 rape and defilement cases in the early part of the year, he said.
Nana Gyansah is worried that the cultivation and use of the herb in the district, if not checked, could shatter the dreams of the people of the area, especially the youth.
Health care
Dr Joseph Oduro, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of the Health Services, said since access to health centres was very crucial, there was the need for metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) to, at least, construct two community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS) every year.
He appealed to people to report to health facilities early when they were sick, instead of waiting till their conditions worsen before seeking health care, which he said could be very dangerous for the patients.
The District Director of Health Services, Mr Reuben Bedzrah, in a welcome address, expressed concern about the low patronage of health facilities in the district and attributed the situation to poor road network and attitude of the people.
The Deputy Coordinating Director for Ahafo-Ano South District, Mr Kaleem Abdullah, in his address, said the assembly would continue to support the development and improvement in the health sector by providing the needed infrastructural development.
