Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga has raised alarm over the growing sale and abuse of illicit drugs in the region, describing the situation as a criminal problem that requires stronger regulation, intelligence gathering and public cooperation to contain.
Speaking at his first press soiree in Bolgatanga, Mr. Atanga said narcotics abuse is increasingly causing harm beyond that associated with alcohol consumption, noting that the challenge lies not only in arresting users but in disrupting supply chains and holding sellers accountable.
“Narcotics — actually, this one is a crime,” the minister said. “The question is, how do we address this crime? If we do not supply, will the people be able to get it to take?”
He said discussions at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) level have focused on tighter regulation of pharmacies and chemical sellers, which authorities believe are among the sources through which some controlled substances are accessed. According to him, the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Authority are expected to work together to develop modalities to better police the sale of drugs in towns across the region.
Mr. Atanga also announced plans to involve Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) and assembly members in identifying locations where illegal drug sales occur, including hidden spots where sellers operate discreetly. He acknowledged that while many residents are aware of who is involved in the trade, reluctance to share information has made enforcement difficult.
“In fact, all of us here, some of us, we know those who are selling,” he said. “But when it comes to giving us information, it becomes a problem. When we provide the information, the security agencies will pick them up, and when they pick those who are selling, then you will reduce the crime.”
The Regional Minister appealed to the media and the general public to support the fight by volunteering credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation is critical to curbing drug-related crime in the Upper East Region.
Beyond enforcement, Mr. Atanga highlighted the need for rehabilitation support for individuals already affected by drug abuse. He commended a private rehabilitation initiative established by a young man in Sumbrungu, and called on nongovernmental organizations to support such efforts.
“Once they are already inside, we need to repair them,” he said, referring to persons undergoing treatment. “There is a need for us to support that initiative so that we can help those who are already in it to get out.”
Mr. Atanga also raised concerns about trafficking routes, noting that some suppliers allegedly move drugs through the Northern Region before diverting them into the Upper East Region, particularly near border areas. He said recent arrests in the Northern and North East regions underscore the need for heightened vigilance.
“They don’t come through our borders directly,” he said. “They pass through the Northern Region, come here, and when they get close to the border, they turn back into town. So our security must be on high alert.”
He assured residents that the Regional Security Council will intensify monitoring of vehicles and coordinate closely with security agencies to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the region.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
