In a powerful demonstration of grassroots resilience and civic action, residents of Sabon Zango, a suburb of Accra, have launched a transformative anti-drug campaign aimed at uprooting the growing threat of substance abuse within their community.
The campaign, branded “Zango Against Drugs”, has rapidly evolved into a model of community-based reform, uniting youth groups, religious leaders, and local authorities around the rallying cry: “No bunker, no junkie.”
Over the past month, the movement has gained traction both on the ground and online, with youth-led patrols dismantling drug dens, confiscating illicit substances, and reclaiming public spaces long dominated by illegal activity. Strategic raids were recently conducted at known hotspots such as Zongo Market, Fudu Fudu, and Unguwawan Makafai, with the community taking a firm stance against the normalization of drug use.
The initiative has been strongly endorsed by Chief Yahya Hamisu Baako, traditional ruler of Sabon Zango, who hosted a community forum on April 13, 2025, to foster dialogue and galvanize support for the campaign. The event drew high-level backing from former Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiqque Boniface, and representatives of the Ghana Police Service.
“Illicit drugs have become weapons of mass destruction, crippling the potential of our youth,” Mr. Boniface warned, urging young people to rise above the traps of addiction and invest in their futures.
Addressing the forum, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Imam Husein Abdur Rahim Husein, in charge of Islamic Affairs, appealed for non-interference from community elders when arrests are made. He emphasized that justice must prevail, regardless of family ties.
“Let no one say this person is our son or grandson. We must uphold the law if we are truly committed to reform,” ACP Husein said.
He also called on the Municipal Assembly and the local Member of Parliament to offer tangible support, from infrastructure improvements to youth empowerment programs.
What began as a Sabon Zango initiative has already inspired similar anti-drug efforts in neighboring communities, including Shukura and Nima, with social media helping to amplify the campaign’s reach.
Community members say they are not only fighting drugs—but reclaiming their dignity, protecting future generations, and redefining the narrative of Zongo communities often plagued by negative stereotypes.
