The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and the Ghana Navy have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse through enhanced intelligence sharing, joint operations and capacity building.
The commitment was made during a courtesy call by the Director-General of NACOC, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, on the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Bessing, at the Naval Headquarters on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The meeting focused on improving inter-agency cooperation to address the evolving threat posed by drug trafficking, particularly along Ghana’s maritime routes.
Major General Mantey commended the Ghana Navy for its continued support to NACOC, especially during joint operations aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks. He noted that traffickers are increasingly exploiting both land and sea routes, making the Navy’s operational expertise and maritime capabilities critical to the country’s anti-narcotics efforts.
He said one of his priorities is to transform NACOC into a highly professional institution comparable to the Ghana Armed Forces through continuous training, discipline and operational excellence. He also appealed to the Ghana Navy to continue supporting the Commission with specialised maritime training while NACOC works to acquire modern operational equipment.
The NACOC Director-General further expressed concern over the rising abuse of illicit drugs among Ghanaian youth, describing it as one of the country’s most pressing social challenges. According to him, the high cost of rehabilitation and the limited number of government treatment facilities have made it difficult for many families to access care for affected relatives.
Major General Mantey disclosed that the Commission is advocating for expanded drug testing in both public and private institutions as part of efforts to discourage substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Responding to the delegation, Chief of the Naval Staff Rear Admiral Godwin Bessing reaffirmed the Ghana Navy’s commitment to supporting NACOC in combating drug trafficking and abuse. He expressed concern over emerging trends, including the practice of lacing cannabis with edible products, describing the situation as a national security issue requiring urgent and coordinated action.
Rear Admiral Bessing stressed that successful efforts to combat drug trafficking depend heavily on timely intelligence and stronger collaboration among security agencies. He assured NACOC of the Navy’s continued support in training and human resource development, noting that protecting Ghana’s youth from the dangers of drug abuse requires a united national response.
He also announced that the Ghana Navy is expected to acquire two new ships and additional command vehicles to strengthen maritime surveillance and security operations. According to him, the vessels, including the Navy’s flagship and largest ships, will be strategically deployed to combat illicit activities such as drug trafficking along Ghana’s coastline.
The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between NACOC and the Ghana Navy, with both institutions pledging to deepen cooperation and pool resources to strengthen national security and protect the country’s youth from the growing threat of illicit drugs.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe