The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has received a one-story building from the traditional leadership of Suaman in the Western North Region, as part of their commitment to combat illicit drug trafficking and abuse and will serve as NACOC’s regional operational headquarters.
The Royal Abakomahene of the Suaman Traditional Area, Nana Ebbi Kwaw Dehyia II, made the donation when he paid a courtesy call to the Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey, on Monday in Accra.
According to him, the move is intended to enable the Commission to strengthen its presence in border areas.
“The Western North Region shares boundaries with the Ivory Coast, where the trafficking of illicit drugs from nearby communities into border towns has become a significant concern. This has led many young people to fall prey to drug abuse. Hence, the chiefs have allocated this facility to serve as the regional operational headquarters,” Nana Ebbi Kwaw Dehyia II explained.
He added that, “We are very alarmed about the impact and devastation that illicit drug trafficking and abuse are having on our energetic youth, and we call on the management of NACOC to come to our rescue.”
He revealed that plans are far advanced by the traditional council to allocate land for the construction of a training school in the area.
The Director-General of NACOC, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey thanked and commended the traditional leadership for their goodwill in providing the office accommodation.
He noted that the impact of drug abuse among the youth has become a national concern and appealed to all, especially traditional leaders across the country, to support the Commission in mitigating the menace.
“I assure Nananom that management will take the necessary steps to immediately renovate the office block to enable officers to move in and commence operations,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Mantey also assured that NACOC will continue partnering with all key stakeholders to reduce illicit drug trafficking and abuse to the barest minimum.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
