NACOB Executive Secretary must be held in check for overzealousness

We all want to see our dear nation Ghana progress and develop, and be counted among serious and prosperous nations on the globe. To this end, the individual and collective efforts and contributions of each citizenry cannot be discounted in this development drive.

However, when some people are given roles and responsibilities to perform they should know that they are handling such roles as representatives of the populace since not all 20 million and over Ghanaians can be bosses of institutions at the same time. Neither is such individuals given such roles probably because they are better, extremely knowledgeable, more handsome or more beautiful than the rest of Ghanaians.

Fellow Ghanaians, I listened to the new Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), Mr Akrasi Sarpong on a Joy FM news night programme last week and I asked myself who is this man full of himself? Even as a lay man with regards to NACOB duties, commonsense tells me that the work of NACOB is an intelligence job for which the ethics of the profession in terms of confidentiality must be upheld religiously. Otherwise, we will give the narcotic dealers the opportunity to outwit enforcement agencies and authorities. In fact, this goes for all intelligence related jobs and not only for NACOB. But to my astonishment, this man placed all the details of the operations of NACOB in the public domain on one of Ghana’s most listened to media platforms globally (JOY FM). Just because of one lawyer ( Akuffo) whom the NACOB boss described as, ‘like him’, over-enthusiastic.

When the individual and lawyer (Akuffo) he was referring to was called to react, he really made nonsense of the NACOB boss’ submission and literally declared him professionally ignoramus in his function as NACOB boss. Frankly, albeit my dissatisfaction about their exchanges on radio, I must say I was however glad when the lawyer pointed out to the NACOB boss that he was professionally bankrupt.

I have always said to people not trust or encounter lawyers because apart from the fact that they contribute tremendously in shaping society, they are also there to make simple life processes very complex.

Although I was enraged by his submissions and vituperations as NACOB boss, I decided to give him the benefit of doubt because he might have been pushed to the wall by the lawyer and that if he later does self examination, even regret what he did.

However, listening to another playback interview the NACOB boss again granted Radio Gold which was played before the commencement their regular Alhaji and Alhaji programme yesterday, this man sounded even more disastrous and with more irresponsible eruptions. He displayed blatant unprofessionalism, lack of knowledge of professional ethics, overzealousness, power drunkenness etc. Indeed, his explosion was appalling and repulsive to say the least.

How on this civilised globe where all international law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to fight crime and intelligence body such as NACOB will make public detailed disclosures of its modus oprandi? It is incredible that this should be happening in Ghana, where our intelligence and security agencies have been touted for their profession excellence being above board in the sub-region.

He went further to even reveal some of their international partners, how they go about profiling travellers at the airports, how they get information from informants, their collaboration with CEPS, Immigration etc. If truth be told, I was numbed before the Alhaji and Alhaji programme began. I thought I was dreaming. He was literally suggesting to drug dealers that NACOB has a new strategy and so the dealers should also revise their strategies also. Indeed, I said this man must have been dim-witted, soliloquizing. His deed was an exhibition of professional ignorance.

Although I agree with this man that occasionally some lawyers obstruct them during the course of their investigations and lawful duties (which is not out of place), I also believe that such constant interferences by similarly overzealous lawyers should make the NACOB investigative team more innovative and creative in adapting new ways to solicit information and processing of suspects.

Now, even if the NACOB boss succeeded in compelling the lawyer out of their offices, does he have to come on radio and boast as though it was any extraordinary achievement? The NACOB boss must be told, if he is not aware that it is common knowledge that: • The drug trade is a cartel • The dealers are very creative • The dealers are constantly innovating • The dealers are very smart • The dealers are very intelligent people and not stupid • The dealers are ruthless and unyielding

Therefore if the NACOB boss himself will throw away the oath of secrecy he swore regarding confidentiality and professional ethics, which largely guide their successful operations, a proactive government should be able to recognize the effect of the NACOB boss’ action on government’s effort at fighting the drug menace and rebuke him now and not later.

My observation is that, if he blaming the lawyer for obstructing the work of NACOB investigators, then he must equally be blameful for sabotaging, jeopardizing and thwarting the work of NACOB as a result of his revelations of strategies and confidentiality of NACOB activities in the public domain.

Clearly, the NACOB boss may have worked in NACOB or similar agencies for several years but his current outbursts, posture and reaction to recent narcotics events reveals his inexperience for his present role. His appointment needs monitoring and reconsideration.

In conclusion, I think the NACOB boss has been more irresponsible than the lawyer he was seeking to chastise and dishonour. The question then is, if the NACOB boss could be such reckless, what action would he have taken if junior officers or other ranks under him displayed same immaturity? Your guess is as good as mine. Thanks

Author:

J.A. Manso (annohmanso@yahoo.com)