NACOC is highly under-resourced; the drug problem is beyond cocaine – Senyo Hosi
Convener of the OneGhana Movement, Senyo Hosi, has raised concerns about the capacity of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to tackle Ghana's drug problem, describing the institution as severely under-resourced and warning that the threat extends beyond cocaine trafficking.
Senyo Hosi, the convener of the OneGhana Movement, has criticized the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for being highly under-resourced in his discussion on JoyNews’ Newsfile. Hosi warned that Ghana's drug problem extends beyond cocaine trafficking, particularly with the increasing use of synthetic substances. These synthetic drugs pose a serious threat to young people, and if the response to the drug issue focuses mainly on cocaine, Ghana risks overlooking a significant aspect of the problem.
According to Hosi, NACOC lacks the necessary personnel, equipment, and logistical support needed to effectively combat the drug issue. He described the Commission as "a highly under-resourced institution," noting that officers have been stationed at border points without proper offices, in some cases forced to work under trees. Hosi drew upon his experience in the oil business and interactions with a former head of the Commission to illustrate the difficult conditions under which NACOC officers have been operating.
While acknowledging that NACOC's presence has expanded from eight districts to 81 districts under the current government, Hosi stressed that this expansion must be accompanied by adequate resources to bolster the Commission's operations. He urged the government to broaden its approach to tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse, emphasizing that cocaine is not the sole concern. Hosi stated that the growing domestic use of synthetic substances is a major issue that cannot be ignored.
Hosi warned that although Ghana serves as a transit point for cocaine consignments, the country must also address the domestic consequences of drug use. He urged families, particularly those in the middle class, to recognize that young people across society could be exposed to these dangers.
Furthermore, Hosi expressed disappointment that the 2027 Budget did not allocate sufficient attention to the drug menace and the resources required by NACOC. He argued that the issue deserved greater national priority, emphasizing that strengthening the Commission requires more than simply expanding its presence across the country. Hosi stressed that officers must be equipped with the necessary tools and logistical support to detect and disrupt drug trafficking effectively.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
