Gyamfi: NACOC’s exclusion weakened oversight at Ghana’s ports — MyJoyOnline
GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi said that the removal of Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) from the list of port inspection agencies weakened the country’s ability to detect and prevent drug trafficking through its ports.
As MyJoyOnline reports, the decision to remove NACOC from the list of port control agencies was made in June 2018. According to Gyamfi, the commission has a mandate to monitor, regulate and enforce laws aimed at combating drug trafficking.
Consequences of the 2018 decision
Gyamfi said the reasons for NACOC’s removal remain unclear. In his view, the decision weakened the commission’s port inspection function and deprived it of the ability to detect and prevent the transportation of drugs through the country’s entry and exit points.
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His comments came after a recent drug seizure in another jurisdiction. According to the outlet, the shipment in that case was likely traced to one of Ghana’s ports.
Access to border crossing points
The GoldBod chief welcomed reports that President John Dramani Mahama had ordered NACOC’s reinstatement on the list of port inspection agencies. Reports say the order also provides the commission with access to all air, land and sea entry and exit points.
Gyamfi noted that he had worked with NACOC under Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey in combating gold smuggling. He expressed confidence that, with proper support, the commission would be able to counter drug trafficking.
