Phyllis D. Osabutey
16 July 2008
THE NEWLY outdoored Flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, has stated that the problem of illicit drug trade that has bedeviled this nation and is undermining the very fabric of the Ghanaian society is not an NPP or NDC problem.
According to him, the problem is a national one which impacts on the world-wide drug menace and has been a source of grave concern for all law-abiding citizens of the country over the past two decades. He stressed that "the scourge of narcotic drugs is a multi-billion dollar global problem."
He also admitted, "the problem has been with us for a long time", and lamented its devastating effect on especially the youth, saying, "it is destroying our people, misleading many about easy and fast money while sullying our reputation in the international community."
The NPP Flagbearer was speaking at the Busia Foundation Annual Lectures, in commemoration of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, who he described as an illustrious son of Ghana and the Prime Minister in the Government of the Second Republic. The lecture was also a memorial of the 95th anniversary of Dr. Busia's birth, 30th anniversary of his death and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Busia Foundation, which was held in Accra on Monday.
Lecturing on the topic, "Democracy, Security, and the Rule of Law", Nana indicated that the country has been sorely embarrassed by disclosures that have implicated a number of high-level state officials in the illicit drug trade.
This, he said has been enabled by corrupt and inept systems of prevention and control, saying "an Akuffo-Addo Government will firmly and courageously implement a number of well-considered measures to embolden the capacity of the nation, to effectively combat the drug menace."
His drug policy will highlight review of relevant laws with a view to enhance their capacity to deter public officials from engaging in narcotic offences, turn the Narcotics Drug Control Board (NACOB) into an agency, to give it an over-arching responsibility across Departments and Agencies, to deal with drugs. He also promised to create the position of a 'Drug Czar', by elevating the position of the head of the NACOB to Cabinet status, he noted.
He observed that though cocaine is not produced in Africa, the continent has experienced the biggest growth in illegal movements than elsewhere on the globe, favoured by the continent's geography.
"Ghana's geography does not favour us. West Africa is just 4,000 miles away, across the Atlantic, from the Coca fields of South America. It is also closer to Western Europe", he explained, adding that to elude European airport security and coastal patrols more easily, smugglers ship drugs in bulk to Africa's western seaboard, where they are parceled out to hundreds of individual smugglers who use fishing vessels, sailboats and their own bodies to sneak it into Europe.
He, however, expressed joy that Ghana is not on the 'Major List' of twenty countries considered to be posing the biggest global threat in the drug trade, but cautioned "we need to do a lot more. We cannot afford to be complacent."
Nana expressed the NPP's belief that a robust comprehensive Drug Control Policy would achieve measurable progress in curbing the supply and abuse of drugs, and blocking drug trafficking through Ghana's shores.
According to him, illicit drug trade corrodes social order, such that it bolsters crime and corruption, undermines effective governance, facilitate illicit transfer of weapons and compromises national security and law enforcement.
In view of this, Nana Addo said there was the need to ensure that the youth have adequate information about drugs, especially its effect on them and the nation at large, "to make drug smuggling a no-go area as a career option for our young ones", which according to him calls for partnership between citizens and law enforcement agencies.
He also touched on securing boarders through collaboration with other sovereign nations in the region and beyond, to combat illicit drug trade, stressing- "we shall focus on a strategic review of international drugs activity with a clear overall commitment of all the law enforcement, intelligence and diplomatic agencies in the West African sub-region, especially to reduce the flow of illicit drugs to and through our shores."
Furthermore, the renowned Lawyer espoused his plans to reform the criminal justice system through elevating the morale of Police personnel, through a systematic and graduated Incentives Scheme, with components such as improved remuneration, accommodation and better working conditions.
He reiterated his vision of a strategic expansion of the size of the Ghana Police Service through recruitment and training of an additional 25,000 suitably qualified persons, over a period of four years as well as recruitment and training of 7,000 youths into the Community Police scheme over two years.
He promised to enhance training and provision of appropriate professional development opportunities, saying "every Police vehicle will be fitted with internet and communications equipment, every Police officer will possess a walkie-talkie and a policy of active 24-hour Police patrols in communities will be enforced."
Expanding and expediting access to justice for women, the poor and vulnerable in society through the increased use of court-connected alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and the modernisation of customary arbitration, mediation and conciliation practices by our traditional authorities, will be among strategies that his Government will pursue.
According to him, Ghana's criminal justice system would be reformed to serve society better through imposition of stiffer prison sentences for serious offenders like drug traffickers, rapists, child molesters and armed robbers, as well as stiffer penalties for public officers convicted of drugs. The NPP flag bearer promised to enhance the capacity of the Prisons Service to fulfill its mandate, among others.
He also pledged to appropriate necessary resources to strengthen relevant Institutions that would be in the forefront of preventing and fighting crime, and challenged "every citizen to take a stand in the fight against crime, indiscipline on our roads and drug trafficking, and to see themselves as part of a "Citizens army", working together to protect ourselves and make our country safe."
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