The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has expressed concern that some people now expect to be paid before they share information about suspected drug-related activities.
He said information from the public is very important in the fight against drug trafficking, but it has become common for some people to ask for money before giving useful information to security agencies.
Major General Mantey made these remarks when he appeared before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
His comments come at a time when there is increased attention on Ghana’s role in international drug trafficking after Australian authorities intercepted 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden inside a charcoal shipment from Ghana.
He explained that drug traffickers are always changing the way they operate to avoid being caught.
Because of this, he said it is important for NACOC to work closely with the public.
“Each day, the traffickers evolve new strategies and try to go ahead of us. They connect, and they cooperate among themselves as to how to outwit them,” he said.
Major General Mantey said NACOC depends heavily on information from ordinary citizens to stop drug trafficking networks.
However, he noted that some people now expect financial rewards before they are willing to help.
“But as my minister said, we base most of our measures on intelligence. The only thing is that Ghanaians now have become a bit demanding so when they send you intelligence, they demand money,” he said.
He also shared an experience where someone wanted a major personal reward before providing information.
“There was a time somebody came to me and said, if I could build him a house, he would help me do a lot. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the NACOC Director-General assured the Assurances Committee that the Commission remains committed to working with the public and other stakeholders to fight drug trafficking.
He said the Commission will continue to rely on intelligence-led operations to track and stop drug traffickers, even as criminals keep changing their methods.
His comments come as security agencies increase efforts to break up international drug trafficking networks following recent drug seizures linked to Ghana.
The government has continued to encourage the public to report suspicious drug-related activities.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak has also said that information from citizens has played an important role in helping security agencies make successful drug arrests.
Major General Mantey stressed that strong cooperation between NACOC and the public is essential to stop Ghana from becoming a major transit point for international drug trafficking.
