NACOC Declares Drug Menace a National Emergency, Calls for Urgent Government Support
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has officially declared Ghana’s escalating drug problem a national emergency, citing a surge in narcotics trafficking and serious operational setbacks hampering the agency’s effectiveness.
This declaration was made during a working visit by Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee to NACOC’s headquarters in Accra. The visit aimed to assess the Commission’s readiness and capacity to confront the growing threat of drug trafficking in the country.
Dire Challenges Unveiled
Presenting to the Committee, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of NACOC’s Research Bureau, outlined a litany of challenges severely constraining the Commission’s performance. These include:
- Non-functional body scanners at key airport terminals, impeding detection efforts
- Overcrowded detention centres that compromise security and health
- Dilapidated vehicles affecting operations across the country
- Inadequate office space, with staff crammed into substandard work environments
Dr. Ligbi also warned about increasing encroachment and high-rise developments near NACOC headquarters, calling for the premises to be officially declared a security zone to mitigate the growing risks.
A “Silent War” Waged by Drug Syndicates
NACOC’s Director General, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, issued a stark warning about the national drug landscape, comparing the rising influence of narcotics syndicates to that of armed robbery networks.
“We are in a silent war, and our officers are frontline defenders,” he said. “But they are under-resourced, under-protected, and increasingly under threat.”
He stressed the urgent need for:
- Institutional reinforcement
- Modern logistics and surveillance tools
- Morale-boosting interventions to safeguard personnel and operational integrity
Brig. Gen. Mantey also hinted at disturbing intelligence pointing to narcotic operatives infiltrating high levels of influence, adding to the urgency for swift government intervention.
Lawmakers Respond
Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee, James Agalga (MP for Builsa North), commended NACOC for its resilience and dedication under difficult circumstances. He pledged to bring the Commission’s concerns before Parliament and advocate for immediate resource allocation.
“We cannot allow this silent epidemic to fester. NACOC needs to be strengthened—urgently,” Agalga stated.
Ghana’s Growing Role as a Drug Transit Hub
The visit comes amid rising international scrutiny of Ghana’s role as a transit point in the global narcotics trade, prompting calls from security experts and civil society for increased vigilance, reform, and investment in drug enforcement.
The declaration of a national emergency by NACOC signals a critical turning point in Ghana’s anti-drug campaign, underscoring the urgent need for cross-sectoral support and decisive political action.
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