Member of Parliament for Amasaman, Sedem Afenyo, has cautioned students against drug abuse, warning that substance use will ruin their chances of achieving their goals in life.
Speaking during a visit by a group of students to Parliament, Mr. Afenyo said the new policy requiring medical tests for recruitment into the security services should serve as a wake-up call.
“I think that statement alone will be a deterrent. So anybody who is here and wants to be a policeman or a military man… so long as you want to enter into the security services, you should know that drugs should be a no-no for you,” he said.
The MP described drug abuse among the youth as becoming too common and being done “with impunity.”
He urged students to resist peer pressure and stay away from drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
“At the end of the day, those who do drugs- how many of them have lived their full life? At a point, you will lose it,” he added.
Beyond drugs, Mr. Afenyo also advised the students on discipline and good character. He said behavior in school will determine whether they can become leaders in the future. “Your behavior today will actually determine your future. If you want to become a member of parliament… people try to dig your background,” he stated.
He expressed concern over rising indiscipline in senior high schools. “These days we are hearing so much of indiscipline in our schools, especially the senior high schools… We have to learn to discipline ourselves and respect our elders,” the Amasaman MP said.
On the purpose of the Parliament visit, Mr. Afenyo said it was to motivate the students.
He recalled that he did not have such opportunities growing up and only entered Parliament for the first time after being elected.
“It’s a form of motivation for all of them. At least those of them who have this experience are motivated to one day learn very hard, push to also become members of parliament,” he noted.
He encouraged more schools to bring students to Parliament to see how laws are made. “I will encourage most of the schools to get their kids to visit Parliament.
At least the motivation will push some of them to learn very hard and one day come here to represent us and make very good laws to help this country move forward,” he concluded.
By Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
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