Ghana is not a safe haven for drug abuse - NACOC Boss declares
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has reaffirmed its commitment to working with international security agencies to combat drug smuggling and the use of illicit substances.
Speaking at the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking ceremony on June 26, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director General of NACOC, emphasised efforts to secure Ghana’s borders against the illegal drug trade and ensure the swift prosecution of offenders.
“Here in Ghana, NACOC remains firmly committed to collaborating with our national security institutions and credible international partners. We will continue to lead a vigorous campaign against illicit drugs through tactical border control, intelligence-led interdictions, expedited prosecutions, and the confiscation of criminal assets.
“We are dismantling networks and sending a clear message—Ghana is not a safe haven for drug abuse,” he stated.
He further described drug abuse as a national emergency and called for urgent preventive measures to protect the country’s youth from addiction.
“Law enforcement alone is not enough of a deterrent. That is why, on World Drug Day, we are placing this message at the centre of our activities. Ghana will not tolerate the poisoning of its people.
“Prevention is not charity—it is a smart strategy to break the cycle of addiction. Drug abuse is not just a personal issue but a national emergency,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Cynthia Prah, Head of the United Nations Information Centre in Accra, highlighted the massive financial gains made by drug syndicates at the expense of vulnerable communities’ health.
“Drug trafficking is ripping through communities with substances more potent and deadly than ever. Criminal networks prey on the most vulnerable, raking in hundreds of billions annually through the illicit drug trade. We must reduce demand by investing in education, treatment, and care. We must also dismantle the machinery of production by eliminating illicit labs and offering viable alternatives,” she added.
