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Drug trafficking posing serious
threat to Ghana’s Democracy?
Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
Commentary, March 22, Ghanadot - Drug
trafficking trade is posing a serious threat to Ghana’s
democracy as the country is being engulfed with contract
killings, armed robberies and other anti-social behaviours which
are inimical to the development of the country.
The menace can also lead to bribery and corruption of law
enforcement agencies, extending to the judiciary, will undermine
the rule of law and make the country ungovernable, leading to
political instability.
Additionally, gang warfare and other conflicts, money
laundering, increase in organised crimes and terrorism were
expected to escalate if we do not put our heads together to stop
or reduce this menace.
The country is being perceived to have been extensively
penetrated by drug money, law enforcement officers perceive many
Ghanaian politicians as being interested in the drug trade,
while the booming real estate business is allegedly financed by
some of these proceeds. Drug refining and resale is also taking
place in Ghana with the importation of precursor chemicals from
South Africa.
A member of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Dr
J. B. Asare, who is also a consultant psychiatrist, at a
conference to discuss and raise awareness of illicit drug
trafficking as a threat to Ghana's national security expressed
regret that the political will for drug control activities in
the country had not manifested itself in the provision of
adequate financial investment for drug control activities, while
human resource development had also received minimal attention.
He added his voice to calls for the Narcotics Control Board to
be made autonomous, while the law establishing it was revised to
take account of the various UN conventions.
"The board should be backed by law to be able to generate money
from fines and proceeds from confiscated assets," he said.
Dr Asare also called on the government not to compromise the
character of the board, which should be composed based on
institutional representation, while all workers in the drug
control field were screened to attract and retain honest,
disciplined and dedicated people who should be adequately
rewarded.
He said although the extent of drug abuse in the country was not
known, the use of drugs in Ghana was mainly associated with the
youth.
For his part, the Head of the Conflict Prevention, Management &
Resolution Department of the Kofi Annan International
Peacekeeping Training Centre, Dr Kwesi Aning, said the
activities of drug dealers were eroding the reputation of Ghana
as a functional state.
He noted that efforts to fight the drug menace were being
impeded because the security agencies did not have the skills
and resources to investigate those behind the importation and
re-export of the drugs and their level of influence on the
consuming market.
According to him, the judiciary had also in no small way
thwarted the zeal and ability of the security agencies to combat
drug trafficking.
It is increasingly becoming clear that particular judges give
particular judgments in drug cases that are beginning to show a
pattern. While previously this was explained as due to the
technicalities of the law, it is now clear that judgments by
some members of the judiciary are more than suspicious.
The government needs to address the problem of youth mass
unemployment if not majority of them will end up being drug agents
and pushers.
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