Treat the fight against narcotics as an urgent national concern - Catholic Bishops appeal to Gov't

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged the government to address the narcotics crisis as a pressing national issue. They suggested a collaborative effort among essential agencies such as the Ghana Police Service, Narcotics Control Commission, Customs Division, port authorities, judiciary and educational institutions to combat the trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs.

The Bishops emphasized the importance of expeditious prosecution for individuals with solid evidence, while respecting constitutional rights and judicial impartiality. They also advocated for improved detection measures at crucial border points and increased cooperation with international law enforcement bodies like INTERPOL and Europol to dismantle transnational drug networks.

Beyond individual arrests, the Bishops suggested investigations should concentrate on the financial underpinnings of the narcotics trade, targeting the networks, businesses, and financial arrangements that enable it. They also called for more resources to be directed towards drug prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes, including broader access to rehabilitation services and addressing underlying economic factors like poverty and unemployment that increase vulnerability to drug trafficking.

The Bishops welcomed Parliament's commitment to monitor the issue and supported a proposed parliamentary inquiry into the effectiveness of security measures at ports and airports. They encouraged all parties involved to cooperate openly and without partisan motives, stressing that combating narcotics requires a collective effort from the government, the Church, families, and society at large.