NACOC, WAPCAS Plus Explore Sustainable Funding for SUDs and Rehabilitation Fund
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in collaboration with the West Africa Program to Combat AIDS and STI (WAPCAS Plus) and its donor partner, Open Society Foundations, has begun discussions on sustainable funding mechanisms for the implementation of the Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and Rehabilitation Fund.
The discussions took place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when a delegation led by Madam Judy Chang of Open Society Foundations met with the Management of NACOC to explore avenues for mobilising sustainable resources for the Fund and discuss guidelines for the implementation of harm reduction policies.
The meeting focused on identifying sustainable sources of funding to support the full implementation of the SUDs and Rehabilitation Fund, which is expected to provide assistance to persons affected by substance use disorders across the country.
The Director-General of NACOC, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, said the successful implementation of the Fund would strengthen the Commission’s ability to extend support and rehabilitation services to persons with substance use disorders, particularly those in underserved communities.
He said NACOC would, as part of the initiative, engage relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help identify and reach persons with substance use disorders in vulnerable communities, including ghettos across the country.
Major General Mantey further disclosed that the Commission would conduct a nationwide survey to obtain a comprehensive understanding of emerging trends in drug use.
He explained that the findings of the survey would provide evidence to guide policy formulation and enable NACOC to develop more responsive interventions to address the country’s evolving drug situation.
The Director-General reaffirmed NACOC’s commitment to intensifying public education on the dangers associated with substance abuse, particularly among schoolchildren, communities and organised groups.
He noted that prevention and public education remained important components of the Commission’s efforts to address substance use and its associated social and health consequences.
At the same time, Major General Mantey stressed that NACOC would continue to enforce the laws against persons engaged in illicit drug trafficking and related offences.
He said the Commission’s approach would therefore combine prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and harm reduction interventions with firm enforcement of Ghana’s narcotics laws.
The engagement with WAPCAS Plus and Open Society Foundations forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships and develop sustainable interventions to address substance use disorders and improve access to rehabilitation and support services in the country.
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