President Mahama Orders NACOC Ghana Port Inspection Reinstatement

• Sammy Gyamfi has welcomed a reported directive from President John Dramani Mahama to reinstate the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to Ghana's port inspection agencies.
• The 2018 removal of NACOC from port inspections is believed to have weakened Ghana's ability to detect and prevent drug trafficking.
• NACOC's mandate includes monitoring, regulating, enforcing, and controlling narcotics trafficking, a role undermined by its previous exclusion from port duties.
• The directive aims to grant NACOC access to all air, land, and sea entry and exit points to strengthen drug checks.
• A recent drug seizure traced to a Ghanaian port underscored the need for enhanced monitoring systems, prompting the call for NACOC's reinstatement.

Lawyers advising clients on trade and logistics in the region should closely monitor the implementation of this directive, as it could impact supply chain operations and necessitate adjustments to existing customs and anti-narcotics enforcement protocols.

Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana GoldBod, has recently highlighted the critical importance of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in Ghana's efforts to combat drug trafficking. His remarks follow a reported directive from President John Dramani Mahama to reinstate NACOC to its position among the country's Port Inspection Agencies. This move is expected to grant the Commission comprehensive access to all entry and exit points across Ghana, encompassing air, land, and sea routes.

Mr. Gyamfi's comments were prompted by a recent international drug seizure, where a consignment was reportedly traced back to one of Ghana's ports. He emphasized that this incident underscores an urgent need to enhance monitoring and inspection systems at the nation's borders. The proposed reinstatement of NACOC is seen as a direct response to strengthen these crucial Ghana drug trafficking port checks, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The reported directive seeks to reverse a decision made in June 2018, which saw the removal of the Narcotics Control Commission Ghana from the list of agencies authorized for port inspections. According to Mr. Gyamfi, this 2018 NACOC port inspection weakening significantly hampered the country's ability to detect and prevent the illicit movement of narcotics through its ports. He argued that the decision undermined NACOC's statutory role, despite its clear mandate to monitor, regulate, enforce, and control narcotics trafficking within the nation.

While the specific reasons behind the 2018 NACOC port removal remain unclear, Mr. Gyamfi asserted that its consequences for drug enforcement were substantial. He noted that the absence of NACOC from port inspections denied the Commission the necessary operational capacity to effectively carry out its function at Ghana's points of entry and exit, thereby weakening the overall framework for drug interdiction.

The reported NACOC Ghana port inspection reinstatement directive signals a renewed commitment to fortifying national security against drug trafficking. For businesses involved in import and export, this development suggests an impending increase in scrutiny and potentially altered compliance requirements at Ghana's borders. Lawyers advising clients on trade and logistics in the region should closely monitor the implementation of this directive, as it could impact supply chain operations and necessitate adjustments to existing customs and anti-narcotics enforcement protocols.

Mr. Gyamfi expressed confidence in the Narcotics Control Commission Ghana, particularly under the leadership of Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey. Having previously collaborated with the Commission on efforts to combat gold-smuggling, he believes that with the necessary support, NACOC will be successful in stemming the tide of drug trafficking. The President Mahama NACOC directive is therefore viewed as a pivotal step towards re-establishing robust drug checks and enhancing the country's overall capacity to combat organized crime at its borders.

Lawyers advising clients on import/export compliance in Ghana should monitor the reported directive to reinstate NACOC to port inspections. This signals increased scrutiny and potential changes to customs and anti-narcotics enforcement procedures at entry and exit points, which could impact supply chain logistics and compliance requirements for businesses operating in the region.

Source: Original reporting via Ernest K. Arhinful