Executives of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) on Monday, October 20, 2025, paid a courtesy call on the Director-General of the Commission, Brig Gen Maxwell Obuba Mantey.

The call was to formally introduce the newly elected members of PRINPAG to management, as well as to renew the Commission’s working relationship with members of the press.
The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) is a group of journalists who work for private newspapers and online portals and are committed to the advancement of democracy and press freedom in Ghana.

Mr David Tamakloe, President of PRINPAG, commended the Commission for its commitment to combating the country’s illicit drug menace and urged management to implement measures that would open up avenues for collaboration, adding that the issue of illicit drug abuse by youth and trafficking has become a big burden for society, and stakeholders.
There is a need for collaboration which will allow members to access and become acquainted with the country’s current illicit drug trends.
“We will call for avenues that would enable our members to access information about the trends of illicit drug abuse situation among the youth across the country and report on them,” Mr Tamakloe stated.

The PRINPAG President emphasised that his organisation is dedicated to collaborating with the Commission to educate Ghanaians about the dangers and consequences of illegal drug consumption among the youth.

Brig Gen Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of NACOC, commended the PRINPAG Executives for their willingness to collaborate with the Commission to help combat the illicit drug epidemic, particularly among the young.

He expressed worry about the devastations that have bedevilled some sections of the Ghanaian youth who are actively involved in the use of hard drugs, adding that the result is a mark of irresponsible parenting and peer pressure.
“It is very sad to see most parents abandoning their responsibilities in the upbringing of their wards to the mercy of social media and peer pressure”

On the aspect of the cannabis regulations, which are currently in Parliament for consideration and subsequent approval, relating to the fees, Brig Gen Mantey hinted that the Commission will soon be engaging editors and senior reporters to enable them to educate potential applicants on the basic requirements.
He emphasised the need for media participation in helping the Commission reach out to the general public about hard drugs and their effects.