Accra: Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the Minister for the Interior/National Security, has commended the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for its intensified efforts in combating drug trafficking and promoting public health. The commendation was part of the Minister's Mid-Year Review Report for the Ministry of the Interior/National Security, delivered during a press conference at the Presidency in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the press conference was organized by the Presidency Communication Bureau under the theme 'The Governance Accountability Series'. This initiative is part of the Government's efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in governance. Alhaji Muntaka highlighted that during this period, NACOC secured 15 district offices across seven regions to decentralize operations and improve local enforcement. The Commission successfully seized 1,192 kilograms of cocaine, 90 kilograms of cannabis, and approximately 17.9 kilograms of Goba at strategic locations like Tema Port, Kotoka International Airport, Paga border, and Oyarifa, thereby disrupting major trafficking operations.
Furthermore, the Minister noted that NACOC conducted seven drug swaps in areas including Akosombo, Takoradi, and Madina, which helped reduce street-level drug availability. The operationalization of a toll-free line by the Commission has also increased citizen tip-offs and participation in anti-drug efforts. Additionally, NACOC has acquired a 100-acre parcel of land at Aboasa in the Eastern Region for a future Training Academy, with documentation nearing completion.
On the subject of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Alhaji Muntaka reported improvements in disaster preparedness and response, which have been instrumental in protecting lives and livelihoods. Over the review period, NADMO responded to 332 emergencies and conducted 2,268 field assessments, verifying incidents and mapping risk zones for timely interventions in cases of floods, fires, and structural collapses.
The Minister also detailed NADMO's engagement with 2,174 communities to develop participatory disaster risk reduction plans, thereby enhancing local ownership and early warning systems. Additionally, NADMO desilted 248 drainage channels across various communities, improving water flow in urban areas and reducing flooding risks during the rainy season.
NADMO has also provided relief to over 11,524 disaster victims, offering essential supplies such as food, shelter, and sanitation to meet humanitarian needs promptly. The communities that benefited from these support services include those in the Western, Northern, Volta, Bono East, and Ashanti Regions.
