An expert in international relations and lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, Dr. Ishmael Hlovor, says Ghana risks increased international scrutiny if it fails to strengthen security cooperation and make it more difficult for drug traffickers to use the country as a transit point.
He said Ghana’s response to recent drug busts linked to the country must go beyond public statements and focus on stronger intelligence sharing, joint operations and improved security capacity.
Speaking on Good Afternoon Ghana on Metro TV , Dr. Hlovor said drug trafficking is a complex transnational crime that requires cooperation among security agencies across countries.
“We have to continue our intelligence sharing. We have to continue our joint operations and try to contain it,” he said.
He said countries in the sub-region must also recognise the links between drug trafficking and other crimes, including money laundering, human trafficking, terrorism, piracy and small-arms trafficking.
“You cannot address one without the other, because money from drug trafficking can go into the smuggling of terrorists, can go into piracy and all those fronts,” Dr. Hlovor noted.
Dr. Hlovor called for greater investment in Ghana’s security agencies, particularly the Marine Police and Air Force, as well as modern equipment for port authorities to improve their ability to detect and disrupt drug trafficking.
He also urged West African countries to use the ECOWAS platform to develop coordinated strategies to tackle drug trafficking and related crimes.
According to him, some coastal states face genuine capacity challenges in securing their waters, making regional cooperation and investment in security capabilities critical.
Beyond security operations, he said Ghana needs the political will to pursue persons involved in drug-trafficking networks and related financial crimes.
“But more importantly, we must have the political will to do it,” he stressed.
He further called for greater attention to money laundering, saying proceeds from drug trafficking could be channelled into legitimate businesses and investments.
Dr. Hlovor said Ghana’s diplomatic communication on the issue must be backed by tangible action, arguing that press releases alone would not protect the country’s international reputation.
“The most important communication will be that you are actually arresting, making it more difficult for people to use your territory to transit and to commit some of these offences,” he said.
He acknowledged that completely eliminating drug trafficking is unrealistic but said Ghana must reduce the frequency of such incidents to the barest minimum.
“You can’t get it 100 percent. Let’s be honest,” he said.
Dr. Hlovor warned that continued suspicion that Ghana is being used as a source or transit point for drugs could damage the country’s image, regardless of how authorities communicate their position.
“No matter the words you put out there, if the international community suspects that more drugs are coming from your end, no communication can wash your image,” he cautioned.
By: Bure Doreen Alekuu Zunome | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
