The Anti-Drugs Taskforce in the Upper West Region has recorded significant progress in its efforts to curb the abuse and illegal distribution of narcotic and unregistered tobacco products since its establishment in May 2025.

In July, the Taskforce intercepted five 100-kilogramme sacks of snuff traced to Tamale, with investigations currently underway. It also closed a facility at Ullo in the Jirapa Municipality for illegally selling tramadol and other addictive substances, including morphine.

Mr. Kelvin Dafaari, Spokesperson for the Taskforce, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa, ahead of the commemoration of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2025.

He said the Taskforce had further seized 13 cartons of unregistered cigarettes that lacked the mandatory pictorial health warnings, stressing that such products were considered illegal under national regulations.

“Any cigarette that lacks pictorial warnings of the health effects is considered unregistered. We intercepted and confiscated such products,” Mr. Dafaari, who also serves as the Upper West Regional Head of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), explained.

He reaffirmed the Taskforce’s commitment to protecting the public from the harmful effects of drug abuse and commended the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, for establishing the Taskforce, which he said had already yielded tangible results.

Beyond enforcement, the Taskforce has intensified public sensitisation campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse across educational institutions and communities.

Some beneficiary schools include T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Wa Islamic Senior High School, and Kaleo Secondary Technical School, among others.

“We have engaged GPRTU and Kamboo drivers, community youth groups, and the media to educate them on the effects of abusing these substances and to seek their support in curbing it,” Mr. Dafaari said.

He, however, expressed concern about limited public cooperation in reporting drug-related activities for investigation.

“People often hesitate to report drug activities because they fear harsh sanctions or exposure. I want to assure the public that any information shared with the Taskforce will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” he emphasised.

The Anti-Drugs Taskforce is a multi-agency body comprising representatives from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), security agencies, Pharmacy Council, Narcotics Control Commission, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

It also includes traditional and religious leaders, such as the Wa Naa and the Chief Imam, to ensure a coordinated and community-based approach to combating drug abuse in the region.