Ghana Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation to Combat Drug Trafficking
Ghana has called for stronger regional and international cooperation to combat the growing threat of drug trafficking and transnational organised crime.
The call was made by the Ghanaian delegation led by the Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, at the 33rd Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF) in Vienna, Austria, from September 8 to 11, 2026.
The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Matilda Alomatu Osei-Agyeman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Ghana in Vienna, Austria.
Ghana’s delegation emphasised that no country could effectively address the evolving drug problem alone.
Ghana reported that intelligence-led operations by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and partner security agencies resulted in 217 arrests and 165 prosecutions, with more than 8.5 tonnes of assorted narcotic drugs and 45.4 million tramadol tablets intercepted during the period under review.
The delegation noted that criminal networks were increasingly adapting their methods, including the trafficking and diversion of pharmaceutical and synthetic substances such as tramadol and tapentadol, alongside traditional drugs such as cocaine, heroin and cannabis.
Ghana also highlighted its efforts to strengthen digital intelligence, forensic investigations and financial investigations targeting the proceeds of drug trafficking. Construction has commenced on a dedicated forensic laboratory to enhance the timely identification and analysis of suspected narcotic drugs and related exhibits.
On drug demand reduction, Ghana said prevention and public education programmes reached approximately 495,000 people, while 30 treatment centres provided support to 1,179 persons affected by substance use disorders. In addition, 800 Senior High School Guidance and Counselling Coordinators were trained to support prevention, early identification and referral.
The delegation further highlighted Ghana’s growing cooperation with regional partners, including the signing of a counter-narcotics cooperation agreement between NACOC and Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Ghana has also signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Drug Enforcement Commission of Zambia and the Government of Burkina Faso.
Beyond formal agreements, NACOC continues to cooperate with neighbouring countries, particularly Togo, in intelligence sharing and efforts to facilitate the arrest of persons under investigation.
Ghana also reaffirmed its participation in international cooperation platforms, including AIRCOP, SEACOP, the UNODC Global Container Control Programme, the INCB-GRIDS Programme and Project Cohesion.
The Ghanaian delegation stressed that regional cooperation must go beyond the seizure of drug consignments to enable countries to connect investigations, identify trafficking networks, trace criminal proceeds, locate wanted persons and dismantle organised crime groups.
Ghana therefore called for stronger intelligence sharing, coordinated investigations, financial investigations and other practical mechanisms to ensure that information obtained in one jurisdiction can support enforcement action in another.
The delegation reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with ECOWAS, the African Union, UNODC and other international partners to strengthen the collective response to the evolving drug threat and prevent criminal networks from exploiting national borders and institutions.
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