International Migration And Drug Trafficking in Ghana

ABSTRACT

This study examined international migration and drug trafficking in Ghana. It specifically described trends in reported drug trafficking cases in Ghana from 2009 to 2015 and the socio-demographic characteristics of the people involved. It also identified the specific vulnerabilities and the perceived socio-economic benefits that influence migrants to engage in drug trafficking. Lastly, it described policy interventions implemented to deal with drug trafficking in Ghana and the challenges associated with the control of drug trafficking in Ghana. Using security personnel from Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) and Ghana Police Service (GPS), simple random sampling technique was employed in sampling 230 respondents for the questionnaire survey. Key informant and personal interviews were also conducted with stakeholders and other Drug Enforcement Officers. The results indicate that 2011 recorded the highest drug trafficking cases in Ghana while 2013 recorded the lowest, drug trafficking cases in Ghana. Ghanaians and males were reported as the major drug traffickers relative to other nationals and females, respectively. The majority of security personnel sampled were of the view that drug traffickers are mostly the rich and literate relative to the poor and illiterate. Poverty, the need to get rich quick, unemployment and ignorance were cited as some of the main reasons why people engage in drug trafficking in Ghana. Even though Ghana has collaborated with the international community in ratifying relevant conventions and treaties which provide the impetus and capacity to combat drug trafficking in the country, it continues to serve as a drug transit country and of user country, given the porous nature of its land borders and ports. Inadequate financial motivations, lack of logistics, and Government/State interference are some of the major problems facing the law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their duties. The study recommends strengthening of law enforcement agencies in more selective points of entry which often serve as the gateway for drug traffickers via improved conditions of service and provision of advance logistics and equipment.