Catholic Bishops welcome task force to tackle drug menace, acknowledge inter-agency efforts

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has welcomed President John Dramani Mahama's decision to form an inter-agency task force to combat the influx of narcotic drugs through Ghana's ports, airports, and borders. The Bishops praised the efforts of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and other state agencies in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana.

In a statement, the Conference highlighted that these measures are crucial for bolstering the country's response to the escalating menace of drug trafficking and abuse. They emphasized the need for continuous collaboration among state institutions and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks and prevent Ghana from being exploited as a transit point for illicit drugs.

The recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France, concealed within a container of plastic waste from Ghana, further underscored the urgency of strengthened surveillance, accountability, and coordination at Ghana's ports, airports, and borders. The Conference called for a comprehensive investigation to determine how such a massive consignment allegedly infiltrated legitimate commercial channels.

They urged ongoing cooperation between Ghanaian authorities and their French counterparts to expose the full scope of the trafficking network associated with this seizure. The Bishops noted that the Dunkirk incident should be considered within the broader national context, citing other narcotics interceptions linked to Ghana in recent years.

They expressed concern over the alleged involvement of individuals in positions of trust, including public officials and some Church members. The statement stated, "The fight must include anyone who abuses public trust to facilitate the movement of illicit substances." The Bishops urged investigators to focus not only on couriers but also on identifying the financiers and primary traffickers behind the illicit trade.

They emphasized that a pattern, where couriers are prosecuted while the networks that finance them go unchecked, undermines any credible national response to the issue. The Conference characterized illicit drug trafficking and abuse as both a severe national concern and a profound moral crisis, advocating for coordinated and sustained action to tackle the problem.