The Christian Council of Ghana has urged state institutions to intensify investigations into the financing of narcotics trafficking. The Council wants authorities to pursue the financiers, organisers, and principal beneficiaries of the illicit trade, rather than focusing solely on couriers. This call was made during a meeting with the opposition New Patriotic Party's Policy Committee on Security, Intelligence and Defence.
Reverend Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, cited Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires citizens to promote national unity and cooperate with lawful agencies in maintaining law and order. He referenced the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020, and the Whistleblower Act, 2006, as legal instruments available to combat narcotics trafficking.
Rev. Thompson expressed concern that a justice system punishing desperate couriers while shielding wealthy financiers would undermine the rule of law. He asked if the country was adequately pursuing the financiers, organisers, and principal beneficiaries of the narcotic trade. The Council plans to support comprehensive financial investigations into narcotics shipments and advocate for greater transparency and institutional accountability.
The Christian Council disclosed plans to strengthen its intervention against youth substance abuse through the "Sound Youth Sound Nation" programme. This programme, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, targets substance abuse involving alcohol, marijuana, tramadol, and other illicit drugs. Interventions include counselling, peer education, and support systems in communities.
The meeting followed an appeal by the NPP's Policy Committee on Security, Intelligence and Defence for a non-partisan moral and spiritual intervention in the fight against narcotics trafficking. The NPP delegation cited several narcotics-related incidents, including the interception of over 3.3 tonnes of cocaine at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast and the seizure of 866 parcels of suspected cocaine at the Tema Harbour.
The NPP proposed a joint pastoral statement condemning narcotics trafficking and demanding transparent and impartial investigations. They also suggested a national day of prayer and reflection, stronger youth protection programmes, institutional accountability, and an interdenominational mechanism to sustain attention on the issue. Rev. Thompson stressed that the Christian Council's engagement was non-partisan and not an endorsement of any political party.
The Council proposed greater cooperation among religious bodies to create a coordinated response to organised crime. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour urged Christian and other faith-based organisations to speak out against the narcotics menace without fear or favour. He criticised attacks on Catholic clergy and bishops on social media over their interventions on the drug issue.
Key points
- The Christian Council of Ghana calls for intensified investigations into narcotics trafficking financiers.
- The Council plans to support comprehensive financial investigations into narcotics shipments.
- The "Sound Youth Sound Nation" programme aims to target substance abuse among Ghana's youth.
