Kasoa MP debunks drug claims, defends youth's love for Ataya tea
Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, MP for Awutu Senya East, has dismissed claims that young people in Kasoa are smoking Indian hemp, locally known as wee. She insists the accusations are unfounded and highlights a different cultural practice instead.
According to the MP, the youth—often labelled as *ghetto boys*—prefer drinking *Ataya*, a traditional West African tea, rather than using illicit substances.
The MP explained that Ataya is a bitter green tea commonly enjoyed in social gatherings. Served in small glasses, it is brewed repeatedly with boiling water, with the first pour being strong and later rounds milder. The drink is often sweetened with sugar or flavoured with mint and ginger.
Okunor stressed that she engages regularly with young people in the community and has never encountered or heard reports of *Ataya* being mixed with illegal drugs. She described the beverage as a symbol of hospitality and friendship, central to conversations about daily life and politics. Addressing concerns about the area's reputation, the MP noted that Awutu Senya East has much to offer. She is actively working to improve its public image and challenge negative stereotypes about the youth.
The MP's statements aim to clarify misunderstandings about local customs in Kasoa. By highlighting Ataya as a cultural tradition, she seeks to shift perceptions away from unfounded claims of drug use. The focus remains on promoting the community's positive aspects and fostering a fairer representation of its residents.
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