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The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has raised concerns over the growing local consumption and distribution of illegal drugs in Ghana, warning that the trend requires urgent and coordinated intervention.
According to reports, the Director-General of NACOC, Maxwell Obuba Mantey, made the remarks in Abuja on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, during a visit to Nigeria for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration between the two anti-drug agencies through intelligence sharing, joint operations, and specialised training initiatives.
Brigadier General Mantey noted that Ghana is no longer serving solely as a transit point for narcotics but is increasingly experiencing domestic drug use and distribution.
The signing ceremony, held at the NDLEA headquarters, was witnessed by Gladys Mansa Yawa Feddy Akyea and other officials from both Ghana and Nigeria.
He explained that drug trafficking operations are becoming more sophisticated, with traffickers increasingly relying on maritime routes and synthetic substances. He further warned that the growing links between narcotics trafficking and organised crime pose significant risks to national security, governance, and public health.
In a separate statement shared on Facebook by NACOC, Brig Gen Mantey disclosed that Ghana recorded a 197 percent increase in drug-related arrests in 2025.
According to him, authorities seized nearly 1,500 kilogrammes of narcotic substances during the year, while enforcement operations were expanded to 40 additional district commands across all 16 regions.
He stressed that drugs that once merely passed through Ghana are now being sold and consumed locally, a shift he believes demands stronger and more strategic action.
Speaking on the newly signed agreement, he emphasised that its success would depend on effective implementation rather than symbolic commitments.
Meanwhile, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohammed Buba Marwa, said the MoU formalises long-standing cooperation between the two countries and strengthens the foundation for joint anti-drug operations.
He added that the partnership sends a strong signal to criminal networks seeking to undermine both societies through the illicit drug trade.
The Ghanaian delegation also used the visit to study Nigeria’s operational systems, including intelligence-led enforcement methods and digital forensic techniques.
Brig Gen Mantey noted that Ghana intends to draw lessons from Nigeria’s experience as both countries intensify efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes across the sub-region.
The agreement also covers collaboration in tackling the illegal production of psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals, and associated money laundering activities.