UK boots Ghana’s war on drugs with state

In a significant boost to Ghana’s fight against narcotics trafficking, the United Kingdom has donated a sophisticated drug detection device valued at £56,752 to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).

The equipment, an Agilent Resolve Raman Analyser, was officially handed over by the Home Office International Operations (HOIO) in a brief ceremony in Accra. The portable, advanced technology will allow NACOC officers to quickly and safely identify suspected narcotic substances in the field, eliminating the delays and risks associated with transporting samples to laboratories.

Ian Cunliffe, the Regional Manager for West Africa at HOIO, formally presented the device, emphasizing that the donation represents a practical investment in the safety and security of the region.

“We recognise the practical contribution to the important work that your officers carry out every day to protect Ghana and the wider region,” Mr. Cunliffe said.

He noted that the gesture is a testament to the growing partnership between the UK and Ghana, built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to dismantling organised crime networks. Mr. Cunliffe added that the collaboration extends to working closely with the UK’s National Crime Agency to tackle cross-border criminal activities effectively.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of NACOC, the Deputy Director-General in charge of Enforcement, Control, and Elimination, Alexander Twum-Barimah, expressed profound gratitude to the UK government and HOIO for the timely intervention.

“We are grateful for this kind gesture and the continued support from our partners,” Mr. Twum-Barimah stated. He described the Raman Analyser as a critical addition to the Commission’s operational arsenal, enhancing both the efficiency and safety of frontline officers.

While acknowledging the importance of the donation, Mr. Twum-Barimah used the occasion to appeal for further collaboration. He stressed that as drug trafficking syndicates become increasingly sophisticated, there is a pressing need to enhance the human intelligence capabilities of the Commission.

“NACOC will also appreciate similar gestures in the future, particularly support for specialised training programmes for our intelligence and undercover officers to further boost their operational efficiency,” he stated.

He concluded by reaffirming that strengthening covert operations and intelligence gathering remains paramount to successfully disrupting the activities of drug trafficking networks operating in and through Ghana.