The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has intensified its nationwide campaign against drug abuse by engaging the National House of Chiefs in a strategic effort to curb the growing menace, particularly among the youth.
In a significant meeting aimed at strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration, the Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, called for urgent collective action to address the alarming rise in drug abuse across the country.
Speaking during the engagement held on Wednesday17, June 2026 with the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs, Brig Gen Mantey highlighted NACOC’s achievements over the past year, detailing key arrests, raids, and successful prosecutions carried out by the Commission as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and abuse networks.
He used the occasion to officially invite the National House of Chiefs to participate in this year’s World Drug Day, scheduled for June 26, 2026, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
Delivering a stark warning, the NACOC Director-General stressed that Ghana risks losing an entire generation if urgent measures are not taken to confront the drug crisis.
“The drug menace continues to rise and as a country, we need to collectively tackle it, or else we will lose our future generation to drugs,” he stated.
Brig Gen Mantey disclosed that the majority of people abusing drugs in Ghana fall within the 20 to 29-year age bracket, describing the trend as deeply troubling given its implications for national development, productivity, and social stability.
He further revealed that cannabis remains the most commonly abused drug in the country, underscoring the need for intensified public education and awareness campaigns.
Calling for stronger community involvement, the NACOC boss appealed to traditional leaders to play a frontline role in combating drug abuse through early reporting, intelligence sharing, public education, and community sensitisation.
He emphasized the influence of chiefs within their communities and urged them to leverage traditional platforms to spread anti-drug messages.
“We appeal to our esteemed chiefs to use festivals, durbars, and all other traditional gatherings for anti-drug campaigns and awareness,” he added.
Responding to the appeal, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, commended NACOC for its relentless efforts in the fight against drug abuse and pledged the full support of traditional authorities nationwide.
He reaffirmed the readiness of chiefs to partner with NACOC to protect young people from the devastating effects of substance abuse.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II also called on the media to become more proactive in the anti-drug campaign by dedicating airtime to drug education and awareness programmes.
He stressed that sustained public education remains critical in winning the battle against drug abuse among the youth.
As drug abuse continues to threaten families and communities across the country, the collaboration between NACOC and the National House of Chiefs signals a renewed national resolve to confront the crisis head-on and safeguard the country’s future.
