NACOC to Host Africa–South Asia Workshop to Strengthen Fight Against Synthetic Drugs
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in collaboration with the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), is set to host a four-day high-level Africa–South Asia Inter-Regional Workshop to strengthen cooperation against New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and synthetic opioid trafficking.
The workshop, scheduled to take place in Accra from July 21 to 24, 2026, is being organised under the INCB’s Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme.
It will bring together experts from 10 countries across Africa and South Asia to enhance operational cooperation, intelligence sharing, and technical capacity to tackle the growing threat of synthetic drugs.
Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the INCB at the Commission’s Headquarters in Accra on Monday, the Director-General of NACOC, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, underscored the importance of stronger international collaboration in addressing the evolving nature of organised crime.
He observed that drug trafficking networks are increasingly exploiting online platforms, encrypted communications and social media to facilitate illicit activities, making coordinated global responses more critical than ever.
“This programme demonstrates the confidence the international community has in the work Ghana is doing through collaboration in combating drug abuse and trafficking,” Major General Mantey stated.
He stressed that no country could effectively address the global drug problem in isolation, noting that intelligence exchange and coordinated operations remain essential in disrupting transnational criminal networks.
“It is imperative that we continue to share information and intelligence on how each country is responding to drug abuse and trafficking. As traffickers constantly exchange information on how to evade law enforcement, it is equally incumbent upon us to strengthen our cooperation and intelligence sharing to stay ahead of them,” he said.
The Director-General reaffirmed NACOC’s commitment to ensuring the success of the workshop and strengthening partnerships beyond the event.
“We are pleased to fully participate in this programme and will provide every necessary support to ensure its success. Our collaboration should not end with this meeting but continue to grow through sustained partnerships and operational cooperation,” he added.
Representatives of the INCB explained that the workshop would provide a platform for participating countries to exchange operational experiences, review significant drug trafficking cases and major seizures, strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and enhance cross-border investigations.
The programme will also feature technical discussions on intelligence exchange, practical case meetings, including a dedicated session with India, and expert-led exercises designed to improve investigative techniques and disrupt criminal networks involved in the trafficking of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances.
The workshop is expected to deepen cooperation between Africa and South Asia by strengthening operational partnerships, promoting best practices in law enforcement and enhancing coordinated responses to emerging drug trafficking trends.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
