The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has stepped up efforts to combat drug abuse in Ghana by seeking the support of the National House of Chiefs to help tackle the growing threat, particularly among the youth.
At a strategic engagement with the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, underscored the urgent need for a united national response to what he described as an escalating drug menace.
Addressing the chiefs, Brig Gen Mantey warned that Ghana risks losing a significant portion of its young population if decisive measures are not taken to curb substance abuse.
“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 said.
The NACOC Director-General noted that individuals between the ages of 20 and 29 constitute the largest group of drug users in the country, a trend he described as worrying due to its implications for national development, productivity and social cohesion.
He further identified cannabis as the most widely abused substance in Ghana, stressing the need for intensified public education and community-based interventions to address the challenge.
As part of efforts to strengthen collaboration, Brig Gen Mantey briefed the chiefs on NACOC’s operations over the past year, highlighting major arrests, raids and successful prosecutions undertaken to disrupt drug trafficking and abuse networks across the country.
He also extended an official invitation to the National House of Chiefs to participate in this year’s World Drug Day commemoration, scheduled for June 26, 2026, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
Recognising the influence of traditional authorities, Brig Gen Mantey urged chiefs to take a leading role in anti-drug advocacy within their communities through public education, intelligence sharing and sensitisation campaigns.
He encouraged them to use traditional platforms such as festivals, durbars and community gatherings to spread awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and promote responsible behaviour among young people.
Responding on behalf of the National House of Chiefs, President of the House, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, commended NACOC for its sustained efforts in addressing drug-related crimes and pledged the full support of traditional leaders in the fight against substance abuse.
He reaffirmed the commitment of chiefs across the country to work closely with the Commission to protect young people from the harmful effects of drug use and safeguard the future of their communities.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II also called on the media to play a more active role in the national campaign against drug abuse by dedicating more airtime and resources to public education and awareness programmes.
According to him, sustained education and advocacy remain critical tools in preventing substance abuse and reducing its impact on Ghanaian society.
The collaboration between NACOC and the National House of Chiefs marks a renewed effort to mobilise communities and traditional institutions in the fight against drug abuse, as authorities seek to stem a growing problem that continues to affect families and communities across the country.
