Ghana facing rising domestic narcotics use - NACOC boss tells Nigerian counterparts

Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) boss said on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria, that Ghana is experiencing increased domestic consumption and distribution of illicit drugs, a development the NACOC said requires urgent and coordinated action. Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of NACOC, led a Ghanaian delegation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to help deepen cooperation between the two agencies.

Brig Gen Mantey reportedly said Ghana was no longer only a transit point for illicit drugs but is now dealing with increasing local consumption. The agreement, signed at the NDLEA headquarters, covers intelligence sharing, joint operations, and training. Trafficking methods are becoming more complex, with increased use of maritime routes and a rise in synthetic drugs. Links between drug trafficking and other organised crime are becoming clearer, with effects on security, governance and public health. Ghana recorded a 197 per cent increase in drug-related arrests in 2025. Nearly 1,500 kilogrammes of narcotic substances were seized, while operations were extended to 40 new district commands across all 16 regions. Brig Gen Mantey said, "The true value of this partnership will be defined not by what we sign, but by what we implement."

The NACOC delegation travelled to Abuja to study Nigeria's operational systems, including digital forensics and intelligence-led enforcement. Mr. Mantey said Ghana would draw lessons from Nigeria's experience to strengthen its operations, noting that both countries share an interest in tackling drug trafficking and its effects in the sub-region. The agreement also covers action against the illicit production of psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals and related money laundering activities.