Ghana's Interior Ministry pushes for full drug law enforcement

Ghana's Interior Minister, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, is calling for the complete enforcement of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020, emphasizing the need to translate legislation into tangible action.

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Ghana needs to move beyond legislation to practical action.

"Ghana needs to move beyond legislation to practical action," the Minister stated, acknowledging that while the Act establishes a robust legal foundation for drug policy reform, its success hinges on effective implementation, supported by necessary regulations and coordinated efforts. He highlighted the persistent gap between policy formulation and practical application, which often discourages individuals with substance use disorders from seeking essential healthcare due to fear of arrest and stigma.

A two-day national dialogue in Accra, themed 'Advancing a People-Centered, Rights-Based Drug Policy in Ghana: Moving from Law to Implementation,' brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, judiciary members, development partners, civil society organizations, health professionals, and researchers. The dialogue aimed to review progress, assess emerging drug threats, and identify concrete steps for advancing Ghana's harm reduction and treatment agenda.

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The Act had provided a solid legal framework for reforming the country’s drug policy, its objectives could only be achieved through effective implementation, supported by the necessary regulations and coordinated action.

Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), noted that Act 1019 introduces a modern framework integrating law enforcement with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. He stressed that achieving meaningful reform requires strong collaboration among government bodies, development partners, civil society, health professionals, academia, and communities. He also urged journalists, teachers, and the public to play a role in educating people about drug abuse, expressing concern over the increasing use of illicit drugs among children and youth.

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Act 1019 had introduced a modern framework that combined law enforcement with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration, while maintaining firm action against trafficking and organised crime.

Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei of the Supreme Court of Ghana and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights advocated for a greater focus on treatment and rehabilitation for those involved in minor drug offenses. He argued that while traffickers and suppliers should face legal consequences, individuals struggling with substance dependence should be offered rehabilitation opportunities instead of custodial sentences. Justice Adjei urged participants to ensure the dialogue yields practical outcomes that address existing gaps in drug policy implementation.

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Achieving meaningful reform requires strong collaboration among government, development partners, civil society, health professionals, academia and communities.