The Minister for Interior, Mr Henry Quartey, has assured that Ghana remains committed to the common and shared responsibility of addressing and countering drug problem which has become a global issue.
He added that Ghana acknowledges the challenges with the implementation of international drug policies, particularly in the era of health and humanitarian crises. He was optimistic that with the commitment and hard work, Ghana could achieve its desired goals.
The Minister said this at the ongoing 67th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna.
He explained that in demonstrating commitment to the 2019 Ministerial Declaration aimed at actively promoting a society free of drug abuse to help ensure that people can live in good health, dignity and peace, Ghana has since taken bold steps in reforming the country’s drug policies by enacting the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).
Mr Quartey stated that the provisions in the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) largely addresses the challenges identified in the “stocking” part of the Ministerial Declaration.
He added that, further to the passage of Act 1019, Ghana in 2021 rolled out the “Guidelines for the sale, supply and use of controlled substances,” aimed at ensuring the availability of controlled substances for scientific and research purposes, while preventing diversion for illicit use.
The Minister pledged Ghana’s continuous advocacy for increased access to controlled medicines while preventing diversion and non-medical use.
He added that Ghana aims to establish a Substance use Disorder Rehabilitation Fund to support the treatment of persons with substance use disorders and a National Harm Reduction Regulation to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences on the use of lawful and illegal drugs.
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs meets every year to discuss the global state of drug control and adopt resolutions on the way forward.
This year, the sessions are being held to review progress on addressing the world drug problem amid a surge in drug use disorders and record supply levels of cocaine and synthetic drugs. The Commission marks the mid-point to achieving the commitments set out in the Ministerial Declaration adopted in 2019.
Patricia Ayeh & Edem Agblevor, ISD
