Ghana has confiscated over 8,500 kilograms of narcotic substances and intercepted approximately 45.4 million tramadol tablets in the last 20 months, as disclosed by the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka.
He stated that these seizures are part of enhanced efforts by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to disrupt the illegal drug trade, particularly the increasing use of synthetic drugs among the youth.
During an update to the public at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, August 24, 2026, Mr. Muntaka reported that 217 arrests had been made and 165 prosecutions initiated during this timeframe.
“Narcotics Control has intensified its efforts, and imagine that in less than two years, over 45 million tablets of tramadol were seized and intercepted,” he added.
The minister noted that the government’s drug enforcement strategy also focuses on targeting the assets and finances of suspected traffickers.
He mentioned that 73 assets had been recovered, along with approximately 19 kilograms of gold seized in suspected drug-related money laundering cases.
Authorities have also restrained around GH¢6.9 million and $440,000 in cash linked to suspected drug-related activities, he stated.
Muntaka emphasised that the fight against narcotics extends beyond enforcement, with NACOC also enhancing public education regarding the dangers of substance abuse.
He indicated that more than 2,000 educational sessions have been conducted nationwide, targeting schools, tertiary institutions, faith-based organisations, communities, and workplaces.
The programs included 1,153 sessions at the basic school level, 185 in secondary schools, and 41 in tertiary institutions.
An additional 187 sessions were conducted in faith-based institutions, 147 in communities, and 235 in workplaces.
However, the Interior Minister pointed out that rehabilitation remains a significant gap in Ghana’s response to substance abuse, stating that the country lacks a state-owned rehabilitation centre.
