Ghana has become an unattractive destination for the illicit drug trade that has engulfed the West African borders, an official of the Operation West Bridge has confirmed. Operation West Bridge, a British Anti-Narcotics Control Agency was requested by the Kufuor administration in 2006 to help fight the insurgence of the illicit drug trade along the borders of the country. Ghana was cited as the major transit point in West Africa for drug cartels, following the arrest and prosecution of drug barons in the infamous MV Benjamin cocaine scandal that rocked the nation in 2006. However the trend seem to be changing. Rosy Tapper an official of the operation West Bridge told joy news, the project since its inception has deterred drug traffickers from using the shores of Ghana as transit points. She however acknowledged the need for more work to be done to rid the country of the trade. “Operation West Bridge is confined just to the airport and there is still some work to be done at the Tema Port.” She confessed. She called for a concerted approach within the West African sub region in order to win the war against the illegal trade. Attorney General and Minister of Justice Joe Ghartey says government’s commitment to arrest the illicit drug trade is gradually yielding dividends. According to him, amending sections of the criminal code to prevent drug suspects from receiving bail has contributed meaningfully to the fight against the drug trade. “There were bail contractors who will procure all kinds of documents for suspects who will then abscond, but now they know if they are caught they will be detained, have the pellets removed and jailed.” Even though he conceded the illicit trade could not be completely eradicated, he said government will make it increasingly difficult for traffickers to indulge in the trade. He cautioned students of the university allegedly indulging in the trade to desist from it, adding that officials have now set their radars on them, and will be dealt with ruthlessly when arrested. Author: Nathan Gadugah