Accra: The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of the Interior, has donated 10 new Navara pickup vehicles to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to strengthen its operational capacity in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking across the country. This investment reflects the government's commitment to tackling Ghana's drug problem through policy direction, well-resourced institutions, and national security interventions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, the Minister for the Interior, emphasized the government's focus on building professional, accountable, and results-driven security institutions under President Mahama's leadership. Since January 2025, the government facilitated the provision of 21 operational vehicles to NACOC, with the latest addition aiming to improve mobility, response time, surveillance, and interdiction.
The Minister highlighted recent enforcement outcomes, stating that logistical support for NACOC was yielding results. Arrests related to narcotics offences increased from 56 cases in 2024 to 158 cases in 2025. During this period, NACOC seized 840 kilograms of cannabis and 341 kilograms of cocaine, demonstrating Ghana's role in disrupting international drug trafficking networks.
Mr. Mubarak noted evolving drug trends, with tramadol accounting for 23 per cent of seized substances, and NACOC's intensified enforcement patrols during the 2025 festive season through January 2026 focusing on hotspots in Accra. These operations disrupted distribution networks, strengthened deterrence, and contributed to positive enforcement outcomes.
The government supports strengthening NACOC's prosecutorial mandate, collaborating with the Attorney-General's Department, and discussing the establishment of a specialised narcotics court. Mr. Mubarak urged NACOC to ensure vehicles are used for official duties, maintained, and deployed professionally.
Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of NACOC, expressed appreciation for the vehicles, describing the intervention as a commitment to NACOC's mandate and national security. He emphasized that mobility is critical to effective narcotics enforcement and fighting organized crime, with the new vehicles enhancing operational capacity, response times, and intelligence-led operations.
Brig. Gen. Mantey assured that the vehicles would be responsibly deployed and maintained, supporting NACOC's mandate to combat drug trafficking, reduce drug abuse, and safeguard public safety. He urged officers to view the support as a call to duty, upholding professionalism, integrity, and excellence in service.