Ecowas Regional Action Plan 2010-2018 And The Fight Against Illicit Drug Trafficking: The Case Of Ghana

ABSTRACT This study examines the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan and the Fight against Illicit Drug Trafficking in Ghana. It throws light on perceived challenges associated with controlling the drug situation in the country. Additionally, it analyses policy interventions, implemented to deal with drug trafficking and then finally, projects some achievements of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan in Ghana and suggests measures for improvement. Using the case of security personnel from Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), Ghana Police Service (GPS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MoFARI), a qualitative research approach was used to conduct personnel interviews with drug enforcement officers. The results indicated that Narcotics Control Board is the central coordinating body in the fight against illicit drug trafficking in Ghana. The results portray the lack of political will from government, low budget allocation to law enforcement institutions, personnel and logistic constraints, corruption and lack of collaboration and information sharing are some of the challenges faced by the security agencies in the fight against illicit drug trafficking in Ghana. The result further unravels the expansion of Narcotics Control Board, the introduction of demand reduction, establishment of specialist units at the Airports and the Harbours as well as collaboration with international agencies. It also highlights on organizations of training and operation programmes, creation of data collection centers and provision of logistics as some of the major achievements of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan. Finally, the study recommends quality training exercises, collaboration of regional and international organizations in the fight against drug trafficking and provision of modern logistics from both government and the ECOWAS