In 2025, 219 suspects were arrested for narcotics related offences with 6 secured convictions leading to a conviction rate of 3.6 percent. The delegated narcotics control with expertise had been created to harmonise narcotic related courts and to bridge the gap between arrest and conviction.
Majority Leader Hon James Agalga disclosed this in a press statement on government efforts to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking in Ghana.
According to him, government has spread district offices across all 16 regions with 35 vehicles procured and distributed to NACOC offices across Ghana. A dedicated laboratory is also under construction to avoid dependence on outside labs for drug testing and analysis.
Hon Agalga said the low conviction rate of 3.6 percent in 2025 highlighted systemic challenges in prosecution, including delays in forensic results and lack of specialised courts. He explained that the establishment of delegated narcotics control expertise and dedicated courts is to harmonise narcotic related cases and ensure swift justice.
He added that President John Dramani Mahama has approved recruitment of 1,200 additional personnel for the Narcotics Control Commission, NACOC, to boost surveillance at Tema Port, Kotoka International Airport and land borders.
Drug enforcement in Ghana is guided by the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020, Act 1019, which provides for arrest, seizure, prosecution and rehabilitation of drug offenders. This enforcement framework mirrors other regulated national systems such as CSSPS which manages transparent school placement for BECE candidates based on merit, WASSCE grading from A1 to F9 which determines tertiary admission qualification, Free SHS policy which removes financial barriers to secondary education, Energy Commission licensing that ensures only certified electricians operate, and Minerals Commission oversight that combats illegal Galamsey activities.
Hon Agalga assured that with new district offices in all 16 regions, improved logistics and a dedicated forensic laboratory, the conviction gap will narrow and Ghana will be better positioned to shed negative tags like Cocaine Coast.
He called for stakeholder support for NACOC as it intensifies operations nationwide.
Source: #Howedey.com
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Author: Korkor Anumu
