The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating drug smuggling and illicit substance abuse in Ghana. At a ceremony marking the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, Director General Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey emphasized the urgent need to secure Ghana’s borders and dismantle drug trafficking networks.
“Here in Ghana, NACOC remains firmly committed to collaborating with national security institutions and international partners,” Brig. Gen. Mantey declared. “We are sending a clear message, Ghana is not a safe haven for drug abuse.”
He outlined NACOC’s multifaceted strategy, which includes tactical border control, intelligence-led interdictions, expedited prosecutions, and the confiscation of assets linked to drug trafficking. Mantey also described drug abuse as a national emergency, calling for preventive measures to shield Ghana’s youth from addiction.
“Prevention is not charity, it’s a smart strategy to break the cycle of addiction,” he said. “Drug abuse is not just a personal issue but a national emergency that demands collective action.”
Cynthia Prah, Head of the United Nations Information Centre in Accra, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the devastating effects of the global drug trade. “Criminal networks prey on the vulnerable, raking in billions annually while communities are torn apart by addiction,” she noted. Prah called for investments in education, treatment, and alternatives to dismantle the production and distribution of illicit substances.
The event served as a rallying cry for coordinated efforts to combat drug abuse, as NACOC and its partners vowed to step up their fight to protect Ghana’s future.
