Editorial: The Drug Menace -The Police & Ghana's Future

The current drug menace that has hit the nation is something that all should be worried about, and particularly so when members of the institution that is supposed to protect the people against such menace are themselves alleged to be seriously involved in the whole illegal business.

The Georgina Woode Committee’s investigation into the drug saga has already led to the emergence of issues that suggest that some top police officers have, for sometime now, been in the known about the activities of some drug barons and were not doing anything close to an indication that they were prepared to serve the nation in the capacity they found themselves.

Already, the citizenry are clearly losing confidence in the security institution; a situation that sends worrying signals about how the nation could be thrown into the hands of criminals and eventually become ungovernable.

At today’s press conference by the police, many were expecting the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to tell the public what steps were being taken to stem the tide. Though the police chief refused to comment on the alleged involvement of some of his men in the whole scare, his promise that the Service would not spare any officer who was found culpable is refreshing.

At least for now, we can have the hope that the police service was not going to entertain any acts that would give drug barons the opportunity to have a field day. Ghanaians have heard the IGP and are closely monitoring events to see how he and his men would adhere to their vow.

While we urge the police to be resolute in tackling the drug problem, it must be emphasized that all actions taken by the police should conform to human rights regulations.

The police should not resort to the violation of the rights of people in the name of fighting the drug problem.

Already, concerns have been expressed about the manner in which four suspects who had appeared before the Committee were arrested.

The recent passage of a law to prevent suspected drug dealers from being granted bail has come at the best of times, as it would seriously help deal with the situation and at least reduce the incidence of drug business in the country if not completely eradicate the menace.

It is however important to point out that it is one thing passing a law and another making sure that it works to achieve the purpose for which it was put in place. The law ought to be fully implemented to ensure the realization of the aims that informed its passage.

At the moment, the nation stands the risk of being blacklisted as a drug trafficking centre if the situation is not properly contained. But it is gratifying to note that the nation may be saved from any such embarrassment, considering the war that is currently being waged against the menace.

While The Chronicle advises all Ghanaians to cooperate with the Nacortics Control Board, the Police Service and the Georgina Woode Committee in the discharge of their duties, the paper also urges these institutions to do the best they can to save the nation from this drug nuisance.

The Chronicle also finds it heartwarming that so far, little or no attempts have been made to politicize the issue. No such an attempt should be tolerated since to politicize the situation could only succeed in jeopardizing the future of our citizens and the nation at large.