Takoradi, June 27, GNA- Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of the Interior, on Tuesday said the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) is going through a restructuring exercise in order to position it to deal more efficiently with the increasing incidents of narcotic drug abuse and trafficking cases.
This was contained in an address read for him by Mr Abdulai Bawumia, Coordinator of the Peace Building Unit of the Ministry of the Interior during the national celebration of this year's International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at Takoradi.
Mr Kan-Dapaah said government is taking steps to equip the organisation to make it responsive to the changing trends of illicit trafficking.
The theme for the celebration was "Do Drugs Control Your Life?" Mr Kan-Dapaah said the government is determined and has the capacity to deal with any individual or group of persons who want to tarnish the hard earned image and reputation of the country by engaging in illicit drug trafficking and use.
He said, "We would move swiftly against any such individuals irrespective of their status in society" adding, "We will deal severely with any individual who is found culpable according to the laws of this country".
Mr Kan-Dapaah said the government is concerned about the negative image that illicit drug trafficking is carving for the nation and the debilitating effects of drugs on the health of the people, the economy as well as its effects on the rule of law.
"As a Government, we are committed to do whatever is possible to stem the increasing incidence of drugs in Ghana once and for all", he said. Mr Kan-Dapaah commended the NACOB for undertaking educational programmes on the dangers of illicit drugs in schools and communities where drug use is prevalent as part of the Board's preventive measures. He advised the youth of the country to endeavour to keep drugs out of their lives and out of the communities in which they live, saying that government would offer whatever supportive environment required to ensuring drug free communities.
The Minister appealed to corporate organisations to join hands with government in the fight against drugs and to support the activities of the NACOB.
He said recent developments which has seen the beaches becoming major transit points in the cocaine supply chain is an indication that fishermen have a role to play in the fight against drug trafficking.
Mr Kan-Dapaah, therefore, appealed to fishermen and those living in coastal communities to report any activity or items found along the beaches.
"It is also the moral obligation of chiefs and Assemblymen to provide information on drug dealers and their hideouts in their communities to enable NACOB to follow the lead and deal with the situation". Mr Kan-Dapaah said the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies need to organise sensitisation programmes for the people in the communities for them to appreciate the harmful effects of drugs and its negative impact on society.
In a welcome address, Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, said the region recently attracted negative publicity when a ship discharged cargo suspected to be illicit drugs along the shores of the region.
He said information indicates that when the substance drifted ashore some of the inhabitants who collected them did not know what they were. Mr Amoah said a mad hunt for it, however, ensued when people from Accra and other places went and offered very handsome sums for them. He said this incident apart from awakening the people at the area to monetary gains from illicit drugs also has the potential of making some of the residents' users of the drug.
Mr Amoah said, in addition, some people might use the region as a conduit to push drugs.
He said, "Let us all join hands in making the Region unattractive for drug pushers.
Nana Kobina Nketia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, who presided, said there is no middle ground when it comes to drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He said rumours about the source of wealth of many Ghanaians are scary and he is personally frightened of any Ghanaian whose lifestyle cannot be explained by his business front.
Nana Nketia said drug pushers are purveyors of suffering and death and are in fact, agents of the devil because drugs are destroying many lives.
He asked the people to safeguard the country's culture against illicit drugs.
