Ghana's major efforts against drug abuse, but

Accra, March 19, GNA - The US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has said that Ghana has taken steps to combat illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and has mounted major efforts against drug abuse. It noted that Ghana had active enforcement, treatment, and rehabilitation programs, but corruption and a lack of resources remained problems.

"A national narcotics scandal in 2006 involving allegations of official complicity in narcotics trafficking complicated Ghana's efforts to combat the drug trade, but served to focus public attention on the growing problem," it said in a statement on the 2007 International Narcotics Strategy Report released by the US Department of State.

The statement released in Accra by the US Embassy said Ghana-U.S. law enforcement coordination strengthened in 2006, particularly at the policy level, but operational cooperation was strained by narcotics scandals.

It added that interagency coordination among Ghana's law enforcement remained a challenge.

The report said Ghana had become a major trans-shipment point for illegal drugs, particularly cocaine from South America, as well as heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia.

"Europe remains the major destination, but drugs also flow to South Africa and to North America. Accra's Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is increasingly a focus for traffickers. "Ports at Tema, Sekondi, and Takoradi are also used, and border posts at Aflao and Elubo and Sampa see significant drug trafficking activity."

The statement said in 2006, South American cocaine trafficking rings increased their foothold in Ghana, establishing well-developed distribution networks run by Nigerian and Ghanaian criminals.

"Ghana's interest in attracting investment provides good cover for foreign drug barons to enter the country under the guise of doing legitimate business."

The report said South American traffickers, however, reduced their need to visit Ghana in person by increasing reliance on local partners, thus further insulating themselves from possible arrest by local authorities.

The report said trafficking had also fuelled increasing domestic drug consumption.

"Cannabis use is increasing in Ghana, as is local cultivation of cannabis. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly raised concerns that narcotics rings are growing in size, strength, organization and capacity for violence.

"The government has mounted significant public education programs, as well as cannabis crop substitution programs. Diversion of precursor chemicals is not a major problem."

On policy initiatives, the report said the two top officials at the narcotics Control Board (NCB) were suspended at the outset of the 2006 narcotics scandal.

It also spoke about the Georgina Wood Committee set up by the Ministry of the Interior to investigate the loss of the two tons of cocaine apparently not seized by enforcement personnel, and related issues.

The report said following the release of the committee's report in September, the UNDP funded a series of experts' meetings to develop a new national drug policy and make recommendations on improving the country's counter-narcotics efforts. The series of meetings was ongoing at year's end.

It noted that in 2006, the Attorney General succeeded in amending the narcotics law to allow stricter application of the bail bond system. "The government began drafting a Proceeds of Crime Bill and a Money Laundering Bill in 2006, and final drafts were reportedly near completion by year's end. The government reportedly plans to present the bills to parliament for consideration in early 2007."

On law enforcement efforts, the NCB reported that total drug seizures of cocaine, heroin and cannabis from January to September 2006 decreased by 17 per cent compared to the same period in 2005, likely reflecting a temporary decrease in trafficking activity following the 2006 narcotics scandal.

Projected fourth quarter data (based on data for the earlier part of the year) suggests that the number of cocaine arrests in 2006 dropped to roughly half that of 2005, while heroin and cannabis arrests both showed modest declines.

The report noted that Ghana did not, as a matter of government policy, encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions, nor is any senior

official known to engage in, encourage, or facilitate narcotics production or trafficking.

"Despite the regular arrests of suspected narcotics traffickers, Ghana has an extremely low rate of conviction, which law enforcement officials indicate is likely due primarily to corruption within the judicial system.

"The backlog of cases pending trial and the limited resources facing the judiciary remain problems in controlling drug trafficking in Ghana."

It said corruption among law enforcement officials remained a serious problem in 2006.

"Ghana made progress in late 2006 addressing its legislative and enforcement deficiencies, brought into the public eye by the narcotics scandal, but there is a long road ahead," the report said.

It said the NCB's plan to hire 40 additional agents would be a good start.

"Tougher confiscation provisions, with a portion of such resources dedicated to fighting narcotics trafficking, would strengthen Ghana's counter-narcotics regime.

"Better oversight of financial transactions is particularly important given the potential for any narcotics financial networks to be used by terrorist organizations or for internal corruption." The reports said upgraded measures to combat corruption were also essential. 19 March 07