Ghana's Interior Minister, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has disclosed that the country was without a single gadget to detect narcotics when he took office in 2025. This, he said, was a major obstacle to efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking. Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Muntaka stated that the lack of detection equipment significantly hampered the country's ability to identify narcotics being moved through its territory.
Muntaka explained that security operatives had to rely on physical checks to suspect the presence of narcotics. He noted that when a suspect item passed through a normal scan, operatives would then use their eyes to inspect it further. According to the Minister, this method was not effective in detecting narcotics, highlighting the need for modern equipment to enhance the country's fight against drug trafficking.
The Minister for the Interior identified narcotics trafficking as one of the major security concerns confronting Ghana, alongside ethnic conflicts and land disputes. He emphasized that his Ministry had since worked to address the challenge and strengthen the fight against illicit drugs. Muntaka assured Ghanaians that the fight against narcotics would be won, with efforts being made across various agencies to combat drug trafficking.
Muntaka's comments come after recent narcotics busts outside Ghana, which have deepened calls for Ghana to enhance its fight against drug trafficking. The Minister noted that a lot is being done to address the issue, and the country is working to prevent the use of its territory for narcotics trafficking. He also acknowledged that Ghana has 48 legitimate entry points but over 300 illegal crossing points, making it challenging to monitor and control the movement of goods and people.
The Interior Minister also touched on other security concerns, including ethnic conflicts and land disputes. He stated that over 90% of people displaced by the Savannah conflict have returned home, indicating progress in restoring peace in the affected areas. Muntaka also mentioned that Ghana is much safer now than in 2025, suggesting that the country's security situation has improved under his Ministry's efforts.
Muntaka's assertions are supported by recent reports highlighting the need for Ghana to enhance its fight against drug trafficking. A report by the Global Organised Crime Index revealed that Ghana's illicit cannabis exports are often destined for the UK. Another report indicated that drug money allegedly finances Ghana's political parties and real estate. These findings underscore the need for effective measures to combat narcotics trafficking in the country.
The Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has also commented on the issue, stating that the Commission is addressing inherited gaps in the fight against drug trafficking. The Commission has been working to prevent the politicization of narcotics seizures and to ensure that drug suspects are prosecuted without compromise. These efforts aim to enhance Ghana's fight against narcotics and to prevent the country's territory from being used for illicit activities.
Key points
- - Ghana had no gadget to detect narcotics when Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka assumed office in 2025. - The lack of detection equipment hampered the country's ability to identify narcotics being moved through its territory. - Muntaka's Ministry has worked to address the challenge and strengthen the fight against illicit drugs.
