Courts urged to expedite trial of drug cases, NCB

Accra, Sept. 16, GNA - The Narcotics Control Board (NCB) on Thursday asked regional tribunals to set aside two days in a week to deal with drug cases pending before them.

Mr Samuel Jones Afari, Principal Narcotics Officer, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra. He said people put several misinterpretations to delays in drug-related cases, including Police and court officials having been influenced by the drug dealers.

The NCB, during its recent campaign in some of the regions, received such reports from members of the public as well as district assemblies. Mr Afari said it is, therefore, necessary for the courts to hear such cases early.

On NCB's campaign, he said it has since January this year visited 22 district assemblies, mostly within the southern sector, to educate assembly members on drug prevention, control and enforcement within their communities.

The campaign has led to the organisation of workshops by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in some districts to educate the community about the dangers of drugs.

He mentioned Nanona Environmental and Human Development in Asamankese as being one of the NGOs, which have organised such workshops.

He appealed to other NGOs to join the war against the use of drugs and asked the public to give information on dealers, who hide drugs in imported goods.