Hopelessness can create conditions in which young people become vulnerable to crime, drugs - Ga Mantse

The Ga Mantse, HRM Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has called for a deliberate national effort to transform Zongo communities across Ghana, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for young people and empowering women.

He said addressing unemployment, poverty and social exclusion was critical to preventing young people in Zongo communities from becoming vulnerable to crime, drug abuse, violence and extremism.

The Ga Mantse made the call at a conference on the Zongo development agenda, where he stressed the need for sustained investment in communities and greater attention to the aspirations of the younger generation.

According to Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the future development of Zongo communities would depend largely on how effectively the country responds to the needs, frustrations and ambitions of young people.

The future of Zongo communities is sitting with us in the form of our youth. We must listen to our children, we must understand their frustration and recognise their ambition.”

He warned that a lack of economic opportunities could deepen feelings of hopelessness and expose vulnerable young people to negative influences.

Unemployment, poverty, exclusion, hopelessness can create conditions in which young people become vulnerable to crime, drugs, violence and to extremism. We cannot simply condemn young people when they go astray; we must create opportunities before they lose hope.”

The Ga Mantse therefore called for interventions that go beyond addressing problems after they emerge, arguing that providing meaningful opportunities for young people could help prevent social challenges before they escalate.

Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II also highlighted the important role women play in sustaining families and supporting local economies within Zongo communities.

He described women as traders, entrepreneurs, caregivers and community builders who continue to contribute to their communities despite economic and social challenges.

Women of our Zongo communities are among our greatest assets. They hold us. They are traders, our mothers, entrepreneurs, caregivers and community builders.”

He called for greater support for women to enable them to expand their businesses, strengthen household incomes and contribute more significantly to community development.

Such support, he indicated, should form part of a broader Zongo development strategy that recognises the economic contribution of women and young people.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with Zongo communities to address challenges relating to sanitation, housing, infrastructure and economic opportunities.

Mr Ayariga stressed that efforts to redevelop Zongo communities should not result in residents being displaced from the places they have called home for generations.

The journey of working to redevelop the place is not about taking the people out of the community; it’s about redeveloping the place and it is perfectly possible to do it with the people in the community.”

He urged Zongo leaders to collaborate with government in developing structures that would give residents a meaningful stake in the redevelopment process.

According to him, involving residents in decision-making would help build trust and public confidence while reducing the likelihood that development initiatives would be interpreted through a partisan political lens.

The broader objective, Mr Ayariga said, is to make Zongo communities more functional, efficient and liveable while creating new economic opportunities for residents.

The approach places community participation at the centre of redevelopment, with government expected to work alongside traditional leaders, local authorities, residents and other stakeholders.

The calls by the Ga Mantse and the Local Government Minister highlight the growing emphasis on combining infrastructure development with social and economic interventions to improve living conditions and expand opportunities within Zongo communities across Ghana.