A public health expert at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, has called for urgent action to secure the nation’s ports to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the country.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, during a discussion on the rising abuse of opioids, he highlighted how the lack of security at the country's ports is worsening the country’s drug crisis.

He stressed that securing the ports should not fall solely on the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) but must involve a multi-disciplinary approach.

Other agencies, such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), National Security, and other relevant institutions, must work collaboratively to prevent drugs from entering the country.

“Customs is responsible for managing the ports, but they cannot do it alone. Effective collaboration with other agencies is essential to closing the gaps through which illegal drugs continue to enter,” he explained.

He continued, saying, “That in itself is a security issue that has to be addressed because, based on my research, my gut feeling suggests that these containers get into the ports unnoticed. The FDA and narcotics agencies are not aware because they are labelled as something else. Customs clears them, and they end up on the market.”

He warned that the failure to coordinate between agencies not only poses a significant public health risk but also threatens national security.

Mr Asiedu called for immediate action: “We must act now to secure our ports, we shouldn’t wait for the problem to occur before seeking a solution.”