The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has expressed support for President John Dramani Mahama's establishment of an inter-agency task force aimed at tackling the movement of narcotic drugs through the country's ports, airports, and borders. This move is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening Ghana's response to the growing threat of drug trafficking and abuse. The Bishops also commended the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and other state agencies for their efforts in combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
The Bishops' statement comes on the heels of a recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France, allegedly concealed in a container of plastic waste from Ghana. This significant seizure underscores the need for stronger surveillance, accountability, and coordination at Ghana's ports, airports, and borders. The Conference called for a thorough investigation to establish how such a large consignment allegedly passed through legitimate commercial channels.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference emphasized the need for sustained collaboration among state institutions and international partners to disrupt trafficking networks and prevent Ghana from being used as a transit point for illicit drugs. They also urged continued cooperation between Ghanaian authorities and their French counterparts to uncover the full extent of the trafficking network connected to the seizure.
The Bishops noted that the fight against drug trafficking must include anyone who abuses public trust to facilitate the movement of illicit substances. They expressed concern over the alleged involvement of people in positions of trust, including public officials and some members of the Church. The Conference called for investigators to look beyond couriers and identify the financiers and principal traffickers behind the trade.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference described illicit drug trafficking and abuse as a serious national concern and a profound moral crisis. They urged coordinated and sustained action to address the problem, emphasizing that a pattern in which couriers are prosecuted while the networks that finance them escape scrutiny is a failure that any credible national response must overcome.
The Bishops' statement also acknowledged the efforts of NACOC and other state agencies in combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse. They called for the agency to be empowered with more personnel and resources to effectively tackle the problem. The Conference also commended the government's decision to restore NACOC's role in port inspections, which had been removed in 2018.
The Catholic Bishops' welcome of the task force and their acknowledgement of inter-agency efforts reflect the growing concern about the threat of drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana. The seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France has highlighted the need for a coordinated response to the problem, and the Bishops' statement is a call to action for sustained collaboration and cooperation to address the issue.
Key points
- The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has welcomed President John Dramani Mahama's decision to establish an inter-agency task force to combat illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the country.
- The Bishops have commended NACOC and other state agencies for their efforts in combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
- The Conference has called for sustained collaboration among state institutions and international partners to disrupt trafficking networks and prevent Ghana from being used as a transit point for illicit drugs.
