The Greater Accra Regional Minister Nii Armah Ashietey says the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement was being abused by drug dealers. Nii Armah Ashietey said the idea of the protocol which is to facilitate the movement of persons in their quest for legitimate trade and other business activities for the benefit of member countries, is being abused by citizens. “Unfortunately, it has tended to allow the activities of hardened criminals and drug barons flourish and without a collective and well coordinated mechanism in place in the sub region the countries in the sub region would always find it difficult to control criminals who hide under the pretext of the protocol to trade in illicit drugs and sometimes escape justice.” The Regional Minister was speaking at the launch of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Monday. He noted that drug abuse and illicit trafficking, is a serious challenge to Ghana in particular and the sub region as a whole. The celebration was on the theme “Be Smart To be Healthy, Don’t Do Drugs”. The Regional Minister explained that if care is not taken it will derail the economic gains of Ghana and undermine her democratic credentials as well as jeopardize the health of citizens, especially the youth who are the future of the country. The Deputy Minister of Interior Kwabena Acheampong on his part reiterated that government was committed to put drug traffickers out of business, and at the same time reduce drug related crimes in the country. Mr. Acheampong said the government is also committed to resourcing the Narcotics Control Board and other security agencies to wage the relentless and concerted war against the drug menace. Story: Afia Amankwaah/Asempa News/Ghana