By Rachel Quartey & Rukayatu Musah
Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to combat drug abuse and trafficking, urging stakeholders to prioritize prevention as a long-term solution to the growing global drug crisis.
Speaking at a national event to mark “World Drug Day” at the Accra International Conference Centre, the Vice President rallied support under the global theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.” She said Ghana is determined to tackle both the supply and demand sides of the drug problem, especially in the face of shifting trends toward synthetic opioids and organized crime.
According to the 2024 World Drug Report, over 292 million people worldwide used drugs in 2022, with 64 million suffering from drug use disorders. Professor Opoku-Agyemang described these figures as “deeply troubling,” stressing the need for “practical, preventative solutions to address the root causes of drug abuse.”
She praised the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for its proactive operations, which have led to the seizure of large quantities of narcotics and the dismantling of trafficking networks across Ghana, West Africa, and Europe. Notably, the destruction of over 16 metric tons of seized narcotic drugs on June 20, 2025, was highlighted as a critical achievement in Ghana’s fight against illicit drugs.
“Every gram destroyed is a life potentially saved,” the Vice President emphasized, calling on all stakeholders to provide NACOC and allied agencies with the tools, training, and resources needed to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Recognizing the human toll of drug abuse, she lauded the Interior Ministry’s directive to operationalize the Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Fund under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020. “Addressing substance use disorders requires compassion,” she said, emphasizing the need to care for individuals and communities affected by addiction.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also drew attention to the wider impact of drug trafficking, including its links to other illegal activities like wildlife trafficking, fraud, and illegal resource extraction, which are harming vulnerable communities and the environment.
“If we fail to invest in prevention, these activities could be replicated in virtually any country, including Ghana,” she warned.
The Vice President urged all citizens to rise to the challenge: “If we are to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Ghana, we must all recognize the urgency of this issue and take action.”
The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Brigadier-General Maxwell Obubaa Mantey, reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to combating the drug trade, stating that the country wouldn’t become a haven for traffickers.
The Akwamuhene, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, announced that he had allocated 100 acres of land to NACOC for a dedicated training school. The facility will focus on building national capacity in narcotics control, prevention, and enforcement.
The National Information Officer at the UN Information Centre, Cynthia Prah, who read a speech by the UN Secretary-General, stressed the need to dismantle trafficking networks by eliminating illicit laboratories, promoting alternative livelihoods, and strengthening international regulations.
“We must reduce demand through investing in education, treatment, harm reduction measures and care. Target the machinery of production by eliminating illicit laboratories and offering farmers viable alternatives,” she said
“World Drug Day,” observed globally on June 26, seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of coordinated efforts to curb illicit trafficking.
