The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, has proposed the imposition of a night curfew for minors under 18 as part of a broader strategy to combat the growing drug abuse crisis among youth in the region.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement in the Wa West District with the area’s Member of Parliament, Peter Lanchene Toobu, District Chief Executive, and other local leaders, the Minister likened the threat of drug abuse to that of illegal mining (“galamsey”), describing it as a public emergency that requires urgent and coordinated intervention.
As part of measures being considered, the Minister proposed a curfew that would restrict the movement of minors between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Police would be empowered to detain any unaccompanied child found outdoors during these hours until a parent or guardian arrives to collect them.
While acknowledging that the policy may attract criticism from human rights advocates, Mr. Puozuing defended the idea as necessary to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and addiction.
“We cannot allow a 12-year-old girl to be involved in prostitution or children to roam the streets at night because of drug abuse,” he stressed.
The Regional Minister revealed that a task force established on May 28, 2025, has been working on a roadmap to address drug use, focusing on rehabilitation, cutting off supply chains, and dismantling distribution networks. Authorities are also actively monitoring individuals involved in the wholesale and retail of illicit substances, as well as efforts to halt transportation of drugs into the region.
MP for Wa West, Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu, echoed the call for decisive action and also appealed for support to address long-standing development needs in the district. Among his priorities were the completion of an abandoned dormitory block in Dorimon, the establishment of a new second-cycle institution in the eastern corridor, and government adoption of a community-built Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institute.
He further urged the government to prioritise critical infrastructure, including the Wa–Dorimon–Wechiau–Ga road, and address the district’s low electricity coverage, which currently stands below 40%—far below the national average of 90%.
Hon. Toobu emphasized that coordinated action, strong political will, and community participation are essential in reversing the district’s challenges and ensuring a safer and more promising future for its young people.
