The Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, has warned that inadequate security personnel, weak patrol vehicles and limited emergency-response capacity are exposing Buipe to serious security risks as the township continues to expand as an industrial and commercial centre.
The situation, he said, was particularly worrying because Buipe hosts major economic installations, including the BOST Energies sub-station, Savannah Diamond Cement and a shea-nut processing factory, while serving as a strategic link along the Tamale-Kintampo corridor.
The traditional area, according to the Paramount Chief, requires stronger security and emergency-response infrastructure to protect lives, property and growing investments.
Buipewura Jinapor II raised the concerns at the annual Buipe Damba Festival (BUDAFEST), held under the theme, “Promoting Peaceful Coexistence as a Path to Sustainable Development.”
He said the current security arrangements were inadequate for a rapidly growing community, particularly in the face of armed robbery, kidnapping, drug-related activities and other criminal threats.
The Vice President of the National House of Chiefs commended the Buipe District Police Command for its efforts in combating crime, particularly armed robbery and kidnapping along major highways and roads within the area.
He said intelligence-led operations by the Police had also helped uncover and dismantle illegal drug networks in the Buipe District.
However, Buipewura Jinapor II said inadequate personnel, patrol vehicles and motorbikes continued to undermine effective policing and highway patrols, requiring urgent government intervention.
Chief releases land for police infrastructure
The Paramount Chief disclosed that he had released two acres of land to the District Assembly for the construction of a new District Police Headquarters.
He said he was also personally constructing a police post at the Buipe Cattle Market, one of the major cattle markets in West Africa, to strengthen security around the facility.
Buipewura Jinapor II further called for the establishment of another police post between Lito and Old Buipe to close security gaps and help curb criminal activities in the area.
He appealed to the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, to urgently address the security challenges confronting the traditional area.
One fire tender for industrial Buipe
The Paramount Chief also expressed concern about Buipe’s limited firefighting capacity, describing the situation as a major risk to lives, businesses and investments.
He said the township currently had only one fire tender, despite hosting major industrial and commercial facilities.
Buipewura Jinapor II therefore appealed for a well-equipped Ghana National Fire Service station in the area to improve emergency response.
He said the growing industrial activity in Buipe made it necessary for the town to have adequate firefighting infrastructure capable of responding quickly to emergencies.
Five acres for Immigration Service
The traditional ruler further disclosed that he had released five acres of land to the Ghana Immigration Service for the construction of offices and accommodation facilities.
He said strengthening the presence of security and border-management institutions in Buipe was necessary to keep pace with the area’s growing economic importance.
Chief raises drug abuse concerns
Beyond physical security, Buipewura Jinapor II expressed strong concern over the increasing abuse of drugs among young people, describing the development as a serious threat to the future of the country.
He warned that drug abuse could contribute to school dropout, unemployment, family breakdown, violence, crime and other forms of social disorder.
The Paramount Chief called for a collective national response that goes beyond law enforcement to include prevention, education, rehabilitation and the creation of meaningful opportunities for young people.
“Every young person we protect from drug abuse is a future we preserve,” he said, stressing the need for urgent action.
Warning over social media, AI
Buipewura Jinapor II also cautioned against the irresponsible use of social media and Artificial Intelligence, warning that misinformation and inflammatory content could turn minor disagreements into serious conflicts.
He urged the public to verify information before sharing it and called on traditional leaders, religious authorities, parents, teachers and the media to promote tolerance and responsible communication.
He stressed that development could not be sustained in an environment characterised by violence, insecurity, mistrust and division.
The Vice President of the National House of Chiefs urged residents to use dialogue and lawful mechanisms to resolve disputes, noting that conflicts do not only destroy infrastructure but also undermine businesses, education, investment and the future prospects of young people.
The festival brought together chiefs, Queen mothers, government officials, Members of Parliament, security agencies, heads of institutions, media practitioners and other stakeholders to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Buipe Traditional Area while highlighting key development and security concerns.
Buipewura Jinapor II maintained that peace and development were inseparable and urged stakeholders to make peaceful coexistence a collective responsibility.
He said the future of the country would depend largely on the choices being made today, particularly in protecting young people, strengthening communities and creating an environment in which development can thrive.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
