NACOC to Host Workshop to Strengthen Africa-South Asia Cooperation against Drug Threats
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) is set to host a high-level Africa–South Asia Inter-Regional Workshop, aimed at Strengthening Cooperation Against New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and Synthetic Opioid Trafficking.
The four-day workshop, which begins on July 21, 2026, is being facilitated by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), under its Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme in collaboration with NACOC.
The event seeks to bring together experts from 10 countries across Africa and South-Asia to enhance operational cooperation, intelligence sharing and technical capacities in addressing the growing threat posed by new psychoactive substances and synthetic opioids.
The Director-General of NACOC, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, gave this assurance when he hosted a delegation from the INCB at the Commission’s Headquarters on Monday July 20, 2026, where the team lauded Ghana’s leadership and commitment to collaborative efforts in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse.
He noted that the evolving nature of organised crime demands stronger international partnerships, stressing that drug trafficking networks are increasingly exploiting online platforms, encrypted communications and social media to facilitate illicit activities.
“This programme demonstrates the confidence the international community has in the work Ghana is doing through collaboration in combating drug abuse and trafficking,” the Director-General stated.
Major General Mantey emphasised that no country can effectively address the global drug problem in isolation, making intelligence exchange and coordinated operations indispensable.
“It is imperative that we continue to share information and intelligence on how each country is responding to drug abuse and trafficking.
As traffickers constantly exchange information on how to evade law enforcement, it is equally incumbent upon us to strengthen our cooperation and intelligence sharing to stay ahead of them.”
He assured the INCB and participating countries of NACOC’s full commitment to the success of the workshop.
“We are pleased to fully participate in this programme and will provide every necessary support to ensure its success.
Our collaboration should not end with this meeting but continue to grow through sustained partnerships and operational cooperation.”
Representatives of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) explained that the workshop will provide a platform for participating countries to share operational experiences, discuss significant drug trafficking cases and major seizures, strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and enhance cross-border investigations.
The programme will also feature technical discussions on intelligence exchange, practical case meetings including a dedicated session with India and expert-led exercises aimed at improving investigative techniques and disrupting transnational criminal networks involved in synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances.
The workshop is expected to deepen cooperation between Africa and South Asia by fostering stronger operational partnerships, promoting best practices in law enforcement, and enhancing coordinated responses to emerging drug trafficking trends.
NACOC, through its collaboration with the INCB and international partners, continues to reinforce Ghana’s position as a key contributor to regional and global efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking while promoting a safer and healthier society.
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
