The Board Members of the Right to Information Commission, led by its Board Chair Mr. James Asante, have paid a courtesy call on the Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to explore avenues for collaboration aimed at safeguarding democracy in the country.
The visit formed part of efforts by both institutions to deepen inter-agency cooperation, particularly in promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance. Discussions focused on how the RTI Commission and NACOC can work together to ensure the public’s right to information is upheld while protecting the integrity of sensitive national security and law enforcement operations.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director-General of NACOC, Brig Gen Maxwell Obuba Mantey expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the RTI Commission in the interest of the Ghanaian public. He emphasized NACOC’s resolve to serve with the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
In a passionate appeal, the Director-General called on the general public to view the fight against drug abuse and trafficking as a shared national responsibility. He warned that illicit drugs are destroying the youth and undermining the country’s future, stressing that collective action is essential to winning the fight.
He further acknowledged that combating illicit drugs is a tough and challenging task, noting that the sensitive nature of NACOC’s work can sometimes make it difficult to release information to the public, especially when investigations are ongoing and the intent of information seekers is unclear. Despite these challenges, he pledged to expedite responses to requests from the RTI Commission, underscoring that the right to information is a fundamental human right.
The Deputy Director-General of NACOC in-charge of Enforcement, Control and Elimination, Lawyer Alexander Twum-Barimah also assured the delegation of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate fully with the RTI Commission to advance the shared objectives of both institutions in the public interest.
On her part, the Executive Secretary of the RTI Commission, Shirley Lartey Esq assured NACOC of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to educate the public both through formal and informal channels on the types of information that can be requested under the law, while maintaining a careful balance between access to information and legitimate exemptions.
The Board Chair of the RTI Commission equally acknowledged the need for intensified public sensitization on the right to information, noting that greater awareness would empower citizens to engage responsibly with public institutions.
Adding to the discussions, the Acting Director of Public Relations and International Affairs at NACOC, Mr. Francis Amoah stated that the Commission has consistently responded promptly to RTI requests by providing timely and accurate information to the public, and reaffirmed NACOC’s commitment to sustaining this practice.
The meeting ended with a shared resolve by both institutions to strengthen collaboration in the collective effort to protect Ghana’s democracy and promote accountable governance.
