Ghana and the Netherlands Sign Letter of Intent to Combat Illicit Drugs and Criminal Markets
Ghana and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a special Letter of Intent to strengthen cooperation in the fight against illicit drugs and drug markets.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the agreement following a meeting with the Dutch Minister of Justice and Security, D.M. Van Weel, during the Minister’s official visit to Ghana.
According to Mr Ablakwa, the agreement builds on the Accra Call to Action and positions the two countries to offer global leadership on a challenge that is “destroying young lives, undermining public health, damaging the rule of law and terribly affecting human rights.”
“We are confident that genuine and reliable international collaboration will eliminate drug markets flooding our countries with cocaine, synthetics and criminal money,” the Foreign Minister stated.
The Letter of Intent is expected to deepen joint efforts in intelligence sharing, law enforcement, prevention, and efforts to disrupt the financial networks that fund drug trafficking.
Mr Ablakwa thanked the Dutch Minister for his “memorable visit to Ghana” and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to tackling transnational organised crime through partnerships.
The partnership comes amid growing concerns across West Africa about the trafficking of cocaine and synthetic drugs, and the impact of drug-related crime on communities and governance.
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