The Director‑General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Ghana Navy in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse.
He made the remarks during a courtesy call on the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Bessing, at the Naval Headquarters on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The meeting focused on enhancing inter‑agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, operational support, and capacity building to address the evolving drug threat.
Major General Mantey expressed appreciation to the Navy for its unwavering support in joint operations aimed at disrupting trafficking networks. “The drug trade has become increasingly dynamic, with traffickers exploiting both land and maritime routes. The Ghana Navy possesses the operational capacity and expertise required to secure our territorial waters, making your partnership invaluable,” he stated.
He noted that one of his priorities is to build NACOC into a highly professional institution comparable to the Ghana Armed Forces, through continuous training, discipline, and operational excellence. He also raised concern over the growing impact of substance abuse on Ghana’s youth, describing it as one of the country’s most pressing social challenges.
Appealing for continued support, Major General Mantey urged the Navy to assist in training NACOC personnel in maritime operations, while disclosing that the Commission is advocating for expanded drug testing across public and private institutions as part of preventive measures.
Rear Admiral Bessing, in response, reiterated the Navy’s commitment to supporting NACOC. He warned of emerging trends in substance abuse, including cannabis being laced with edible products, describing the situation as a national security concern. “Successful interdiction depends heavily on timely intelligence. We must strengthen intelligence gathering and collaboration if we are to effectively intercept illicit drug trafficking,” he said.
The Naval Chief disclosed that the Navy will acquire two new ships and additional command vehicles to enhance maritime surveillance and operations, with the vessels strategically deployed to counter illicit activities along Ghana’s coastline. He called for greater collaboration among state institutions, urging stakeholders to pool resources to safeguard the future of Ghana’s youth.
The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between NACOC and the Ghana Navy and underscored their shared commitment to strengthening national security through enhanced collaboration in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse.
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