The use of cannabis has been a controversial issue which has resurfaced in recent times. Globally, a handful of people and groups, however, have debated for its legalization after being cognizant of its medicinal benefits.
The presence of cannabis like ganja (marijuana); which helps cure brain cancer and epilepsy, dope; which enhances one’s concentration level as well as herb; which generally fights cardiovascular diseases, have called for its legalization in countries like Uruguay and recently in Canada – not only for its medicinal boon but for recreational uses as well. Many countries for that matter are contemplating on the idea of its legalization whereas the stance of Ghana on this issue has not been quite obvious.
Narrowing down to a community which is almost always tagged with negative perceptions, the impressions imprinted in the minds of persons whenever Nima is mentioned continues to be one every society craves to be unassociated with. With dozens of ghettos found in and around the vicinity, it is quite evident that the youth will be vulnerable to prospective influences towards involving themselves in the abuse of drugs. I find it pretty astonishing as I fathom how being very much dedicated to ‘weed’ becomes synonymous with never disappointing to attend to periodic calls to prayer at their exact times. Yes, what an irony! – you will bear with me. Such is the behavior of youth engaged in this act within my beloved neighborhood — Seemingly so prayerful.
Being the case across all other ghettos, it is an eyesore that despite the number of literates involved in the abuse of cannabis, they give very less or no credence to possibilities of harm to the health and safety of their lives. I personally cannot point out to a glaring possible cause of abusers’ negligence towards their own wellbeing but I can better relate to the extent of damage it has caused — not only within the educated minority but also within the illiterate majority.
Prospects of having a downward slash in this trend have been long-lived and it continuously tends to be on the significant rise as the years go by. Nevertheless, without an iota of doubt, it will be a fallacy for anyone anywhere having tasted life in Nima or otherwise to disregard the fact that there is are countless great mentors and brilliant chaps (with very bright prospects) in this relatively small neighborhood.
One thing that runs through the answers given by addicts, as to the reason why they still cling to their long favored abuse despite knowing its ill effects, points to the fact that the majority of the well-to-do and academically successful persons who rose through the ranks within the society (barely visit the neighborhood after they) have relocated to other areas. Many in the society believe that it would have served as motivation for the up-and-coming ones to ply their footsteps right into that of the successful folks towards building their prospective careers if these successful folks intermittently took steps back home to inspire the youth within their home-grown community.
Despite the challenge of vulnerability the youth within this society is faced with, guardians of these “ghetto boys and girls” seem to care less. Yes! You heard right! “Ghetto boys and girls”. This appalling act encompasses both gender groups. For the very few guardians who are willing to help their wards put a stop to it, a hell of effort goes through the reformation process due to the addictive nature of cannabis. As their calls travel through a vacuum, consistent attempts by intellectuals and religious leaders who serve as agents of reform to these addicts, have yielded minimal results.
It is factual that policy drawers in this country have had to handle several other similar cases across the nation since time immemorial and have further sought ways to get such menace reduced to its barest minimum. But some rhetorical questions shall be posed for thoughts despite the acclaimed drawn strategies and supposed implementations.
How far have we gone as Ghanaians to improve upon what is glaringly a non-functional or haphazardly implemented strategy to help societies fight this blight?
By the way, how many rehabilitation centers do we have distributed across the country for addicts willing to give up the act?
Thinking through this, I have had to recall a cliché which makes bare to the fact that,
‘‘The devil finds work for the idle hands’’.
Could engagements into such acts be attributed to evident unemployment levels nowadays? — further causing some desperate graduates also fall prey to this menace as they have no viable jobs to get them fully engaged and being self-sufficient?
This is just a singular case of Nima. There are a lot more communities in Ghana whose youth are submerged into this menace. Just like youngsters in Nima, where lies their fate? The abuse of cannabis has caused us much enough that we urgently deserve to be far associated with it as a country highly known and respected for our showcase of high morals and diligence. We need to have a keen relook at this, brethren.
Peace