The Central Regional Command of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has conducted an impactful sensitization program for staff of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Central Region at the Regional Coordinating Council, Cape Coast. This engagement is part of a broader strategy by NACOC- Central Region to empower sister agencies and frontline workers with the knowledge needed to combat drug abuse and trafficking at the grassroots level.

This important sensitization which had NACOC’s DNCO Alice Erzah as the main facilitator, focused on key areas aimed at bridging the gap between disaster management and narcotics control of which participants were educated on the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), identification of illicit substances to look for during field operations or disaster response activities, the nexus between drugs and disasters especially on certain localized “man-made” disasters or security threats and the needed inter-agency collaboration between the two organizations.

​PNDCO Felix Sarfo Yeboah, the Regional Commander of NACOC- Central Region reiterated that the sensitization was very important & timely because NADMO staffs are often the first responders in communities and have deep local reach through our zonal staffs & DVG’s, so NACOC views NADMO staffs as vital partners in the demand reduction ie using NADMO’s community platforms to spread drug prevention messages, early warning ie Identifying potential “drug dens” or cultivation sites or routes during routine disaster risk assessments and public safety ie ensuring disaster relief environments remain drug-free and secure for vulnerable populations.

On his part, Hon E. K. Dawood Mensah, our Regional Director affirmed that in our operational area ie in the Central Region of Ghana— a hub for tourism, education, and coastal trade— the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) face unique challenges of which effective collaboration between these two agencies is a sureway to address the “compound risks,” where the drug trade fuels community vulnerability, impedes resilience and where some disaster occurrences provide cover for illicit drug activities. Consequently, a call for greater & strategic collaboration was reinforced, towards achieving our set objectives, especially in the areas of integrated risk mapping and intelligence sharing, community resilience and the “volunteer” network, operational coordination during emergencies, addressing “diseases of despair” ie post-disaster drug usage and the need for a joint taskforce on public education & enforcement.

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©️ REGIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS

BY KWADZO ATINKA