As a long-term solution to the escalating global drug epidemic, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has urged stakeholders to prioritize prevention and reaffirmed the nation’s steadfast commitment to combating drug misuse and trafficking.
The Vice President rallied support under the worldwide theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” while speaking at a national event to commemorate “World Drug Day” at the Accra International Conference Centre. Ghana is committed to addressing the supply and demand aspects of the drug problem, she said, particularly in light of the growing popularity of synthetic opioids and organized crime.
The 2024 World Drug Report states that 64 million persons worldwide suffered from drug use problems in 2022, out of the 292 million who used drugs. These statistics, according to Professor Opoku-Agyemang, are “deeply troubling,” emphasizing the need for “practical, preventative solutions to address the root causes of drug abuse.”
In Ghana, West Africa, and Europe, she commended the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for its aggressive efforts that have resulted in the recovery of substantial amounts of drugs and the breakup of trafficking networks. Notably, on June 20, 2025, more than 16 metric tons of narcotic substances that had been seized were destroyed, which was recognized as a significant victory in Ghana’s war on illegal drugs.
“Every gram destroyed is a life potentially saved,” the Vice President emphasized, calling on all stakeholders to provide NACOC and allied agencies with the tools, training, and resources needed to stay ahead of emerging threats.
She praised the Interior Ministry’s move to operationalize the Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Fund under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020, acknowledging the human cost of drug usage. “Compassion is necessary to address substance use disorders,” she stated, highlighting the importance of providing care for addicts and the communities they impact.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also highlighted the broader effects of drug trafficking, particularly its connections to other illicit activities that are damaging the environment and vulnerable communities, such as fraud, wildlife trafficking, and illegal resource extraction.
“If we fail to invest in prevention, these activities could be replicated in virtually any country, including Ghana,” she warned.
“If we are to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Ghana, we must all recognize the urgency of this issue and take action,” the vice president said, calling on all residents to rise to the challenge.
Brigadier-General Maxwell Obubaa Mantey, the Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), reiterated Ghana’s determination to fight the drug trade and that the nation will not turn into a sanctuary for traffickers.
Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, the Akwamuhene, declared that he had given NACOC 100 acres of land for a special training school. Building national capability in drug control, prevention, and enforcement will be the facility’s main goal.
Cynthia Prah, the UN Information Center’s National Information Officer, read a speech by the UN Secretary-General and emphasized the importance of destroying illegal laboratories, encouraging alternative forms of income, and fortifying international laws in order to break up trafficking networks.
“We must reduce demand through investing in education, treatment, harm reduction measures and care. Target the machinery of production by eliminating illicit laboratories and offering farmers viable alternatives,” she said
“World Drug Day,” observed globally on June 26, seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of coordinated efforts to curb illicit trafficking.