The Minister for the Interior,  Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed, has lauded the leadership of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for their renewed commitment and enhanced efforts in the fight against drug trafficking in Ghana.

He made the commendation during the graduation parade and parchment ceremony of Basic Narcotics Cadet Course 8, held at the Leadership Training School in Tema.

Addressing the graduating cadets, the Minister praised the Commission for the recent increase in arrests, describing it as evidence of tighter enforcement measures aimed at making Ghana an unattractive hub for drug trafficking syndicates.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with NACOC to dismantle drug networks and ensure a safer and more secure nation for all.

 Muntaka expressed satisfaction with the six-and-a-half-month intensive training the cadets had undergone, noting that it had equipped them with essential skills in pharmacology, financial investigations, and intelligence gathering.

He said these competencies would empower the new officers to tackle the illicit drug trade with integrity, fairness, and professionalism.

In a significant policy move, the Interior Minister called on NACOC to operationalise the Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Fund, a dedicated initiative to support research, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes for individuals battling addiction.

He pledged to provide a seed fund for the project and appealed to corporate entities to support the fund as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

 Muntaka also reiterated the government’s unwavering support for NACOC and other security agencies, assuring that the necessary resources would be made available to strengthen their capacity in the ongoing war against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

He emphasised that winning the fight against narcotics requires a collective national effort, urging the newly commissioned cadets to carry out their duties with courage, professionalism, and compassion.

In his closing remarks, the Minister congratulated the graduating cadets on their achievements and called on all stakeholders — from government and law enforcement to civil society — to collaborate in building a Ghana free from the scourge of illicit drugs.