News:
December 17, 2010
The New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Okaikoi South, Nana Akomea, has called for a multi-partisan approach to dealing with the increasing narcotic drug issues that continue to bedevil the country.
He said unnecessary politicization of the matter will adversely affect the country’s fight against narcotic drugs.
Nana Akomea’s call come on the heels of a damning revelation by the non- profit making whistle blower organization wiki Leaks that sought to portray some Ghanaian government officials, both in the current government and the erstwhile NPP administration’s complicity in fighting the drug menace over the years.
According to Wiki Leaks, Ghana’s president, John Atta Mills, even worried that his own entourage may be smuggling drugs through his presidential lounge at Accra’s Kotoka airport, and asked a senior UK customs official in November 2009 for help to screen them “in the privacy of his suite to avoid any surprises if they are caught carrying drugs”, according to the US embassy in Accra.
The report also stated that Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) officers working with British officials actively helped traffickers, even calling the criminals on their mobile phones to tell them when to travel to avoid detection.
The NDC government has since reacted to the Wiki Leaks report rubbishing its content.
But contributing to a discussion on Metro TV’s “Good Morning Ghana” Friday, Nana Akomea, stated that the drug menace must be seen as a national security threat that requires a concerted effort from all Ghanaians to fight the canker.
“We tend to politicize everything in Ghana including drug menace, we stand to suffer as a country if we don’t join forces to fight this crime’’, he said.
Hon. Nana Akomea, urged government to adequately resource the Narcotic Control Board to efficiently deliver on its mandate.
Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh