NACOC's 2018 Port Role Removal Weakened Ghana's Drug Detection Capacity, Says GoldBod Chief

Ghana's drug enforcement capacity at its borders may have been significantly compromised since 2018, when the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) was removed from the country's list of Port Inspection Agencies, according to Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod.

Gyamfi has raised concerns about the decision taken in June 2018, arguing that it stripped NACOC of critical inspection responsibilities despite the Commission being the statutory body mandated to monitor, regulate, and enforce laws against narcotics trafficking. The move, he contends, directly weakened Ghana's ability to detect and prevent drugs entering or leaving the country through its ports.

The Impact on Border Security

Speaking on the implications of NACOC's exclusion from port oversight, Gyamfi emphasised that the decision created a dangerous gap in Ghana's drug enforcement framework. "While it is unclear what may have informed that decision in 2018, it is evident that the said decision weakened NACOC's port inspection function and denied them the ability to detect and prevent drug trafficking through the country's ports of entry and exit," he stated.

The GoldBod CEO's comments come in the wake of a recent drug seizure in another jurisdiction involving a consignment reportedly traced back to one of Ghana's ports. This incident has renewed scrutiny on the adequacy of Ghana's border security measures and the institutional arrangements governing drug interdiction.

Gyamfi called for immediate strengthening of monitoring and inspection systems at Ghana's entry and exit points, arguing that the current framework leaves the country vulnerable to being used as a transit route for international drug trafficking networks.

Government Moves to Restore NACOC Authority

On a positive note, Gyamfi welcomed President John Dramani Mahama's reported directive to reinstate NACOC on the Port Inspection Agencies list and grant the Commission unrestricted access to all entry and exit points by air, land, and sea. This reversal, if implemented, would restore NACOC's formal authority to conduct inspections and investigations at Ghana's borders.

Gyamfi, who has worked closely with the Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey-led NACOC on gold-smuggling enforcement operations, expressed confidence in the Commission's capacity to tackle drug trafficking if adequately resourced and empowered. "As someone who has closely worked with the Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey-led NACOC in fighting gold-smuggling, I am confident that with the necessary support, NACOC will succeed in stemming this tide," he said.

Why it Matters for Ghana

Ghana's ports—particularly Tema and Takoradi—are critical points in West African trade networks, making them attractive targets for international drug trafficking organisations. The removal of NACOC from formal port inspection duties created a period of institutional weakness that experts argue could have allowed illegal narcotics to slip through undetected.

The restoration of NACOC's port authority is significant because it realigns Ghana's enforcement structure with its statutory obligations under international drug control treaties. Additionally, stronger port security supports Ghana's broader regional security interests in West Africa, where drug trafficking fuels violence and destabilisation in neighbouring countries.

For citizens and legitimate businesses, reinforced drug enforcement at ports can enhance Ghana's international reputation as a serious partner in combating organised crime, potentially supporting trade relationships and investment confidence.