PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Ghana government reiterates commitment to drug war
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The Ghana Government on Wednesday reiterated that it remains “committed and unwavering” in the fight against narcotics regardless of the threats that the leaking of diplomatic cables by the controversial Wikileaks website have posed.
In its first official reaction, the government in a statement signed by the Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologu, recalled that President John Evans Atta Mills had demonstrated leadership by example as a clear signal of his commitment.
The President had also emboldened security personnel by voluntarily subjecting himself for body search at the airport in Accra.
“This singular act (has) sent a loud message that nobody would be shielded or allowed to engage in the illicit act no matter their connections or status,” it said.
“President Mills has no cause to suspect his appointees and believes they are with him in this noble task to make Ghana a no-transit point for narcotics.
“He also knows what to do to those who fall short of the laws of Ghana and the standards he has set and will not have spared any such person neither will he seek anybody’s assistance before dealing with such persons.”
The leaked cables for 2007-2008 say there was no political will to fight the drug war.
They accuse members of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) of being compromised by drug barons and how the administration of former President John Kufuor lacked the political will to fight the menace.
The report referred to the abuse of the VVIP lounge at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra in 2008 and the possibility of it being used for the narcotic trade.
For 2009, the report commended the administration of President Mills in the drug war. It said the President had confided in the former US Ambassador Donald Teitelbaum that some of his officials had been compromised by the drug barons. The presidency is yet to comment on it.
The report also quoted the President as saying he and his officials should be searched at the airport.
The official statement said despite the challenges inherited, the Government of President Mills would relentlessly continue with this fight and would ensure that the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) receives continuous support evidenced by the historic increase in budgetary allocation.
NACOB would also be transformed into a stronger independent Commission, it said, adding, “we have maintained similar commitment in assisting and strengthening all the security agencies”.
“Our efforts in fighting the drug menace and the positive results achieved so far have been acknowledged by well-meaning Ghanaians and the world at large and for this we are highly encouraged,” the statement said.
The United States Embassy in Ghana has condemned leaks as “illegal disclosure” but said it would not discuss the contents.
-0- PANA MA 15Dec2010
In its first official reaction, the government in a statement signed by the Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologu, recalled that President John Evans Atta Mills had demonstrated leadership by example as a clear signal of his commitment.
The President had also emboldened security personnel by voluntarily subjecting himself for body search at the airport in Accra.
“This singular act (has) sent a loud message that nobody would be shielded or allowed to engage in the illicit act no matter their connections or status,” it said.
“President Mills has no cause to suspect his appointees and believes they are with him in this noble task to make Ghana a no-transit point for narcotics.
“He also knows what to do to those who fall short of the laws of Ghana and the standards he has set and will not have spared any such person neither will he seek anybody’s assistance before dealing with such persons.”
The leaked cables for 2007-2008 say there was no political will to fight the drug war.
They accuse members of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) of being compromised by drug barons and how the administration of former President John Kufuor lacked the political will to fight the menace.
The report referred to the abuse of the VVIP lounge at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra in 2008 and the possibility of it being used for the narcotic trade.
For 2009, the report commended the administration of President Mills in the drug war. It said the President had confided in the former US Ambassador Donald Teitelbaum that some of his officials had been compromised by the drug barons. The presidency is yet to comment on it.
The report also quoted the President as saying he and his officials should be searched at the airport.
The official statement said despite the challenges inherited, the Government of President Mills would relentlessly continue with this fight and would ensure that the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) receives continuous support evidenced by the historic increase in budgetary allocation.
NACOB would also be transformed into a stronger independent Commission, it said, adding, “we have maintained similar commitment in assisting and strengthening all the security agencies”.
“Our efforts in fighting the drug menace and the positive results achieved so far have been acknowledged by well-meaning Ghanaians and the world at large and for this we are highly encouraged,” the statement said.
The United States Embassy in Ghana has condemned leaks as “illegal disclosure” but said it would not discuss the contents.
-0- PANA MA 15Dec2010
