Human trafficking, drug trafficking and drug abuse are often interlinked. There is need for awareness and sensitization campaigns to adopt a prevention centred approach to enlighten communities on how to prevent drug trafficking and abuse. This will in turn, reduce the instances of drug-related human trafficking cases.
To support capacity building, the AGA-Africa Programme collaborated with the Criminal Investigations Department, Ghana Police Service, Food and Drugs Authority and the Narcotics Control Commission on a highly interactive ‘Whole of Community Approach in Countering Narcotic Drug and Human Trafficking’ workshop held on 5th-7th June, 2023, in Accra, Ghana.
The workshop brought together participants from the Narcotic Control Commission, Non-Governmental Organization, Prosecutors, Lawyers, CID/Drug Law Enforcement Units, Police Officers, Key members of the Tudu and Madina Communities including Caregivers, Parents, Guardians as well as national, regional and international subject matter experts from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and the United States.
The workshop was aimed at providing an opportunity for the participants to spread awareness and sensitize the target population on the dangers of drug abuse and illicit drug use, as well as awaken the consciousness of young persons, parents and family members on the menace of drug trafficking which is linked to human trafficking.
Maame Hagan, AGA-Africa Programme Country Coordinator for Ghana kicked off the workshop with opening remarks.
ACP David Gyabaah, Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent, Ghana Police Service delivered the keynote address on behalf of Faustina Andoh-Kwofie, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Director General, Criminal Investigative Department, Ghana Police Service.
The highly interactive sessions were facilitated by Veneshia Cezil, Chief Operations and Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Michigan Department of the Attorney General, Nneoma Wokemba, Assistant Director, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), Solomon Stanley Eyo, Chief Narcotics Control Officer and Director of Operations and Enforcement, Narcotics Control Commission, Justine Forson, Head of Counselling, Referral and Social Re-Integration Unit, Narcotics Control Commission, ACP Patience Quaye, Executive Director, Giving Hope Foundation, Evelyn Mboya, Chief Inspector of Police, Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya, Emmanuel Hammond, Deputy Head, Drug Law Enforcement Unit, Criminal Investigations Department, Ghana Police Service, Adah Allotey-Pappoh, Head of Substances of Abuse Department, Food and Drugs Authority, William Korbla-Agbavitor, Acting Head, Legal Service Department, Food and Drugs Authority, C/Supt. David Hukportie, Director, Law Enforcement Unit, Criminal Investigations Department, Ghana Police Service and Joseph Akapelwa, Director, Legal Services, Drug Enforcement Commission, Zambia.
ACP David Gyabaah, Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent, Ghana Police Service gave closing remarks on behalf of Faustina Andoh-Kwofie, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Director General, Criminal Investigative Department, Ghana Police Service.
Markus Green, Board Member, AGA-Africa Programme, also gave closing remarks.
Maame Hagan, AGA-Africa Programme Country Coordinator for Ghana brought the workshop to a close, thanking participants for their attendance and participation.
Workshop Outcome
Through this workshop the participants:
- Equipped themselves with knowledge and skills on how to combat the menace of Drug Abuse and Human Trafficking in Ghana while sensitizing the population on the dangers of the same.
- Enhanced their understanding on the drug menace and the existing legal framework as well as the effects of drug abuse which include mental disorders, among others.
- Gained knowledge and skills on the type of support, treatment and care young persons abusing drugs in the Tudu and Madina communities require from the society.
