Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh, the Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NaCoC), has called for a unified and collaborative approach to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana.
He emphasized that such an approach would not only improve public health but also disrupt criminal networks and significantly reduce the supply of illicit drugs.
Adu-Amanfoh made this appeal during the opening session of a workshop organized for Judges and Magistrates in Sunyani, Bono region.
The workshop, themed “The Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019): Effective Implementation of the Act and the Role of Judges and Magistrates in Handling People Who Use Drugs,” was jointly organized by the Judicial Training Institute, the POS Foundation, and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), a non-governmental organization.
The workshop aimed to provide participants with the necessary knowledge about the changes introduced by Act 1019 and the jurisdiction granted to trial courts under the Act.
Adu-Amanfoh emphasized that combating drug trafficking requires the collective effort of various stakeholders, including security services, the judiciary, and the public. He stressed that the responsibility cannot be borne by the Commission alone and appealed for widespread public support.
Superintendent Stephen Nti, in charge of Records, expressed regret over the overcrowding situation at the Sunyani Central Prisons, which currently houses 915 inmates despite its initial capacity of 450.
He highlighted that 31 inmates had been convicted of narcotics offenses, serving sentences ranging from 15 years and below, primarily for drug possession cases. Additionally, six other inmates were awaiting sentencing for various narcotics offenses while in remand.
By addressing drug trafficking and abuse through collaborative efforts and effective implementation of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, the aim is to mitigate the impact of drugs on society and promote a safer environment.
Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh, the Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NaCoC), has called for a unified and collaborative approach to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana. He emphasized that such an approach would not only improve public health but also disrupt criminal networks and significantly reduce the supply of illicit drugs.
Adu-Amanfoh made this appeal during the opening session of a workshop organized for Judges and Magistrates in Sunyani, Bono region. The workshop, themed “The Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019): Effective Implementation of the Act and the Role of Judges and Magistrates in Handling People Who Use Drugs,” was jointly organized by the Judicial Training Institute, the POS Foundation, and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), a non-governmental organization.
The workshop aimed to provide participants with the necessary knowledge about the changes introduced by Act 1019 and the jurisdiction granted to trial courts under the Act.
Adu-Amanfoh emphasized that combating drug trafficking requires the collective effort of various stakeholders, including security services, the judiciary, and the public. He stressed that the responsibility cannot be borne by the Commission alone and appealed for widespread public support.
Superintendent Stephen Nti, in charge of Records, expressed regret over the overcrowding situation at the Sunyani Central Prisons, which currently houses 915 inmates despite its initial capacity of 450. He highlighted that 31 inmates had been convicted of narcotics offenses, serving sentences ranging from 15 years and below, primarily for drug possession cases. Additionally, six other inmates were awaiting sentencing for various narcotics offenses while in remand.
By addressing drug trafficking and abuse through collaborative efforts and effective implementation of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, the aim is to mitigate the impact of drugs on society and promote a safer environment.