Ghana will on Friday, June 26, mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, to sensitize the public on the harmful effects of drugs and trafficking in society.

The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior, would lead the celebration, which is commemorated globally on June 26 every year.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Let’s Develop our Lives, our Communities without Drugs,” a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency from NACOB Public Relations Unit on Tuesday said.

Since 1990, Ghana through the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), has consistently and effectively partnered with the International Community in various ways to combat the drug menace both within and outside the African continent.

The celebration is aimed at sensitizing and continuously creating the awareness about the harmful effects of drug use and trafficking in the society.

It is also a day marked by all Member-States worldwide, in partnership with the United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other related agencies, as well as Diplomatic Offices.

Over the past years, NACOB during the WDD celebration, has been using the occasion to organize awareness programmes for schools, religious bodies and corporate organizations which are later climax with grand durbars to read solidarity messages from the various partners.

The celebration was first launched in 1987 by the United Nations General Assembly, and serves as a reminder of the goals that Member-States have agreed to uphold for creating an international society free of drug abuse.

NACOB, through its various offices across the country, has embarked on several activities, such as Marathon race organized by the Eastern Regional Command, Soccer gala by both Western and Northern Regional Commands respectively, the statement said.

The week-long celebration will also feature awareness programmes with schools and neighbours operating around the offices of NACOB.

There will be a grand celebration which will be graced by the Interior Minister, the Greater-Accra Regional Minister, MDCEs, Diplomatic Corps, security agencies, students, and chiefs, among others at the GNAT Hall on Friday.

Members of Parliament are also expected to deliberate on this year’s theme on the floor of the House.