The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag-bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given a broad hint on how he would deal with the canker of drugs, saying he would create a Drug Czar for Ghana by elevating the Head of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) to Cabinet status when he becomes President. The NPP leader, who did not mince words on the way forward for the country in the fight against drug barons who are making Ghana their operational base, said there must be a concerted effort to root out drugs from the society. “I believe the creation of an overall Drug Czar, with the requisite powers, will go a long way in our fight against illicit drugs. I am proposing an equivalent of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, a cabinet level component of the Executive Office of the Presidency, to be established by law and headed by a Drug Czar,” Nana Addo was speaking at this year’s annual lectures in honour of Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic. The lecture was organized by the Busia Foundation in Accra. Opponents of the ruling party are making drug trafficking a campaign issue, without mentioning how they intend to address it. They sometimes even insinuate that the NPP flag-bearer was on drugs, a charge he had for the umpteenth time denied. The Drug Czar, Nana indicated, would combine the powers of the Chairman and Executive Director of NACOB under a new reformed structure, adding that the new body would be given overall mandate over the control of the drug situation and harmonize its collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and ministries. Nana Addo said to ensure that Ghana becomes a “no-go country” for drug dealers, his presidency would pay special attention to the classification of narcotic drugs and review the penalties for drug-related offences, with particular attention to increasing the prison terms of those convicted for the supply or possession of drugs with intent to supply. “I am determined to tackle the drugs problem. But the fight is not just for the government or the law enforcement agencies. It is for mothers, fathers, siblings, teachers, pastors, imams, chiefs, community groups and Ghanaians, who care about the future of their country. “The problem simply does not go away by politicians adopting a pre-occupational attitude of merely, constantly telling the general public that Ghana has a drug smuggling problem; we owe it to our children to come up with truly imaginative solutions,” he added. Nana Addo also promised to strengthen the criminal justice system and double the force of the Ghana Police Service from the current 25,000 to 50,000 within four years of his presidency; as well as ensure the recruitment and training of 7,000 youths into the Community Police scheme over a period of two years. He mentioned that the Police would also have better remunerations, accommodation and working conditions, as well as enhanced training and provision of appropriate professional development opportunities. “Every police patrol vehicle will be fitted with an Internet and communication equipment. Under my presidency, every police officer will possess a walkie-talkie,” Nana Addo promised. The memorial lecture, which was in honour of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, was also to commemorate the 95th anniversary of his birth, the 30th anniversary of his death and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Busia Foundation. With Nana outlining his policy on drugs, the NPP said other parties should come with their own agenda. Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy, Chairman of the party’s Communication Committee told Daily Guide that the opposition parties should come out with their games. For Ghanaians, it is for the parties to spell out how they are going to do it. Source: Daily Guide