Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin has described the recent flooding in Accra as a wake-up call for Ghanaians to change their attitude towards the environment.

According to him, although poor planning, inadequate infrastructure and weak disaster prevention measures remain major challenges, human behaviour continues to be one of the biggest threats to environmental protection.

He said practices such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and water bodies, construction on waterways, pollution of rivers and the destruction of natural ecosystems have contributed significantly to the country's recurring environmental problems.

Speaking at the 2026 Kyebi Ohum Festival held over the weekend under the theme, "Rejuvenating Our Customs for Sustainability and Nature's Connection," Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin urged Ghanaians to reconnect with nature and adopt more responsible environmental practices.

"Nature is such that it will treat you proportionally to the very level of treatment you give to it. If we treat nature very nicely, it shall treat us nicely," he said.

The Okyenhene noted that traditional customs and practices promoted environmental protection, adding that some of those values have been abandoned in modern society.

"Our customs frown on littering indiscriminately in towns, rivers, and water bodies. It was even taboo for people to visit some rivers on specific days in the week or for a period. But what are we seeing today?

"Because of indiscipline, people are devastating the environment with impunity, and you think that nature will not respond? We need to change our attitude towards the environment," he stated.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin also expressed concern about the increasing abuse of drugs and other substances among young people, calling for stronger enforcement of laws regulating the sale of alcohol and tobacco products.

He urged the Ghana Police Service and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to clamp down on drinking bars and sales points that sell alcohol to persons below the age of 18.

"Today, the children mix all kinds of substances with alcohol. The intake of tramadol and other substances has even worsened the situation. These little boys, after soaking themselves in all of these substances, end up robbing people and stealing.

"If we don't stop this, the future of the next generation will be very bleak," the Okyenhene warned.

He stressed the need for a national response to substance abuse, insisting that regulations prohibiting the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to minors must be strictly enforced.

Touching on infrastructure development, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin criticised some contractors for failing to complete projects after receiving mobilisation funds, urging them to prioritise the safety and welfare of citizens.

"The Minister of Roads was seen in a viral video lamenting how some contractors have taken huge sums of money from government in the name of mobilisation for road construction and how these contractors have abandoned the work. How do we treat ourselves in such a manner?" he questioned.

He cited the Ofankor-Nsawam road project as an example of the difficulties citizens endure due to delays in completing critical infrastructure.

"Today, this Ofankor-Nsawam road has become an albatross on our neck. If you drive on the road a couple of times, you must service your car or bear the risk thereof," he said.

The Okyenhene also cautioned governments and political actors against interfering in chieftaincy matters, stressing the need to protect the independence and authority of the traditional institution.

Commenting on the Etwereso issue, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin maintained that the territorial integrity of Okyeman would not be compromised.

"You came here to beg to be installed as a chief, and we honoured you. If you want a breakaway, you can go, but remember, you're on your own. Be assured that nobody conquered Okyeman, and nobody can conquer Okyeman.

"Never, it will not happen. You can leave, but our territories will not be altered. Not even an inch of our territory will be given out," he stated.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who attended the festival, commended Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin for his leadership and assured him of the government's commitment to supporting development initiatives.

He said the government was particularly interested in investing in agriculture and appealed to traditional leaders to support efforts to make land available for large-scale agricultural projects.

"The Akyem lands are fertile for palm plantation. The government will be interested in committing resources to palm plantation here in Akyem Abuakwa to create jobs for our youth and produce for local and export markets," Mr Debrah said.

The 2026 Kyebi Ohum Festival attracted traditional leaders, government officials, and leading political figures from both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).