Ghana Catholic Bishops Unleash Urgent Demands Against Surging Drug Menace!

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has issued a strong call for urgent, coordinated national action to combat illicit drug trafficking and abuse, describing it as a serious national concern and a profound moral crisis. This pressing appeal follows the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France, allegedly concealed within a container of plastic waste originating from Ghana.

The Conference emphasized that this significant Dunkirk seizure underscores the critical need for strengthened surveillance, enhanced accountability, and improved coordination across the country’s ports, airports, and borders. They have demanded thorough investigations to ascertain precisely how such a large consignment allegedly passed through legitimate commercial channels.

The Bishops commended the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and other state agencies actively involved in combating the drug trade, urging them to maintain continuous cooperation with French authorities to uncover the full extent of the trafficking network. Furthermore, they welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s initiative to form an inter-agency task force specifically designed to tackle the movement of narcotic drugs through Ghana’s entry and exit points.

Viewing the Dunkirk incident within the broader context of a national challenge, the Conference also cited other narcotics interceptions linked to Ghana in recent years. A major concern raised was the alleged involvement of individuals in positions of trust, including public officials and, regrettably, even members of the Church. The statement firmly declared, “The fight must include anyone who abuses public trust to facilitate the movement of illicit substances.”

The Bishops further urged investigators to look beyond mere couriers and to diligently identify and prosecute the financiers and principal traffickers orchestrating these illicit operations. They highlighted a critical flaw in current approaches, stating, “A pattern in which couriers are prosecuted while the networks that finance them escape scrutiny is the failure any credible national response must overcome.” The Conference stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among state institutions and international partners to disrupt these networks and prevent Ghana from being utilized as a transit hub for illicit drugs.