The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Manso Opuni, has rallied the support of key stakeholders in Northern Ghana to help address the growing menace of illicit drug use in the area. 

He said a coordinated stakeholder approach would help reduce crime, enhance public safety, and ensure that the youth channeled their energies and talents into productive ventures that would contribute to national development. 

Prof Opuni made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, at his residence in Tamale on Wednesday, as part of his stakeholder engagement tour of the Northern Sector. 

He explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with key institutions to guarantee public safety and effectively tackle issues related to illicit drug use in the region. 

Prof Opuni commended the Regional Minister for his commitment to combating drug abuse, noting that under his leadership, the FDA had successfully established an inter-agency task force to address the problem. 

He said: “Through your leadership, the FDA has successfully established the inter-agency task force, which is currently contributing to resetting the minds of the youth in a positive direction.” 

Mr John, in his response, expressed appreciation for the visit and underscored the importance of institutional collaboration in promoting public health and safety. 

He briefed Prof Opuni and his entourage on ongoing interventions aimed at enforcing sanity in public spaces, including the deployment of an Inspector-General of Police-led task force, which is supporting the region in the fight against illicit drug use. 

The Regional Minister said he had directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region to intensify efforts against drug abuse. 

The Northern Regional Director of the FDA, Zakaria Braimah, expressed his commitment to working closely with relevant stakeholders to promote public health and safety in the region. 

He said the Authority would continue to strengthen partnerships to ensure effective regulation and enforcement against illicit drug business in the area.