The Collation of Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) in Drug Policy of Ghana has paid a courtesy call on the Director-General and Management of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).

The courtesy call, which took place on Wednesday 11, June, 2025, was aimed at familiarising and strengthening collaborations with the new management team of the Commission by members of the Civil Society Organisations in Drug Policy.

The CSOs led by Mr Yaw Akrasi-Sarpong, of the West African Drug Policy Network and former Executive Secretary of NACOB, in his remarks, commended the new management for their focus and commitment towards the illicit drug menace in the country.

He lauded the idea by management of the Commission in facilitating the Legislative Instrument (LI) on Harm Reduction, which he expressed confidence that it will pave the way to create and empower stakeholders at the district levels in administering and enhancing public safety and health.

Mr Yaw Akrasi-Sarpong called for a continuous collaboration in helping to curb the devastating effects of drug usage among the youth across the country, as the CSOs are also committed to supporting the Commission to achieve such a goal.

Ms Maria-Goretti Ane of the International Drug Policy Consortium thanked the management of NACOC for its longstanding collaboration over the years in helping to address the illicit drug trafficking and abuse situation.

She added that the CSOs in drug policy over the years have partnered with the Commission to embark on some result-oriented rollout programmes and look forward to continuing by offering both technical and logistical support to help boost the operations of the Commission.

Ms. Maria-Goretti Ane appealed to the management of the Commission to put in place measures that would enable it to become proactive at the international platforms, mainly to contribute to the global drug policy deliberations.

On his part, the Director-General of NACOC, Brig Gen Maxwell Obuba Mantey thanked the CSOs for their support in helping to deal with the drug usage situation over the years and urged that the partnership needs to be strengthened.
He assured that the work plan of his administration will continue to engage the CSOs, as NACOC is committed to partnering with all relevant key stakeholders to achieve a common goal in ensuring that the drug usage and trafficking menace is brought to the barest minimum.

Brig Gen Mantey hinted that the conditions and procedures relating to the cannabis licensing will not be as people perceive in the public space, adding that the Legislative Instrument (LI) has provisions that would enable the Commission to rigorously scrutinise the background of applicants.