President John Mahama has ordered security agencies to strengthen coordination at Ghana’s ports and prevent the country from becoming a transit route for illegal drugs.
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the directive followed an urgent meeting convened by the President about two weeks ago. The meeting brought together agencies responsible for port security and drug enforcement.
Ofosu said drug seizures and arrests should not automatically be taken as evidence that Ghana has become a drug-trafficking hub. He argued that the cases also show the police and the Narcotics Control Commission are carrying out their duties.
He acknowledged that consignments that evade checks in Ghana and are intercepted abroad remain a concern. According to him, the President wants agencies to strengthen cooperation so that gaps at the ports are closed.
Ofosu said rivalry among agencies had affected information sharing and coordination. He said Mahama had directed the agencies to end the competition, share intelligence and submit a roadmap for closer cooperation.
The roadmap deadline was expected to expire within days. The President has also made clear that he will not allow Ghana’s borders to become a transit point for drug trafficking.
Source: www.myjoyonline.com
