NACOC DG Admonishes Prosecutors to Maintain Integrity
The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has urged officers undergoing training as prosecutors of the Commission to guard their integrity jealously and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He said the role of a prosecutor requires high integrity, sound judgment, objectivity and a firm commitment to the rule of law, stressing that prosecutors must always ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially.
Major General Mantey made the call on Monday, August 24, 2026, when he addressed participants at a four-day training workshop on public prosecution organised for officers of NACOC.
He emphasised that being a prosecutor was not merely about securing convictions but about ensuring that due process and the rule of law were respected.
According to him, a prosecutor must approach every case objectively and ensure that suspects are treated fairly while presenting credible and properly obtained evidence before the court.
He cautioned that any failure to properly investigate, prepare or prosecute cases could undermine the administration of justice and affect public confidence in the Commission and the justice system.
The Director-General expressed appreciation to the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General for granting NACOC the fiat to prosecute its own cases in accordance with Section 59 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).
He described the development as a significant step in strengthening the Commission’s capacity to effectively deal with narcotic-related offences and improve the prosecution of cases arising from its operations.
The four-day training, the first of its kind for NACOC, is aimed at building the capacity of officers to become competent, ethical and effective prosecutors capable of handling narcotic-related cases professionally.
In her opening remarks, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, noted that successful prosecution begins long before a case reaches the courtroom.
She explained that the outcome of cases is often influenced by the manner in which suspects are arrested, evidence is gathered and preserved, statements are obtained, and other technical and investigative procedures are followed.
Mrs Atakora Obuobisa said prosecutors had a responsibility to uphold integrity, respect the law and pursue justice, adding that prosecutors must ensure that every case presented before the court meets the required legal and evidential standards.
She commended NACOC for investing in the professional development and capacity building of its officers, particularly in the area of public prosecution, and encouraged the participants to make effective use of the training.
The Deputy Director-General of NACOC, Lawyer Alexander Twum-Barimah, noted that drug trafficking was not only a domestic challenge but an international concern requiring a coordinated and professional response.
He said prosecutors therefore had an important role to play in ensuring that narcotic-related cases were properly handled and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Lawyer Twum-Barimah urged participants to take the training seriously and actively participate in all sessions, stressing that the knowledge and skills acquired would benefit both the individual officers and the Commission.
The training forms part of NACOC’s broader efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity, enhance the quality of investigations and prosecutions, and ensure that narcotic-related offences are handled with professionalism, integrity and respect for the rule of law.
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