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U.S. Department of State
1996 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1997
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Africa and the Middle East
GHANA
I. Summary
Ghana remains committed to the fight against drug abuse and the illicit
trafficking of narcotics. The Government of Ghana (GOG) admits that cannabis
cultivation is a significant problem, but is taking steps against it. Ghana
is a party to the 1988 UN Convention. The Narcotics Control Board (NCB) is
working to achieve compliance with all provisions of the Convention in spite
of the competition for scarce resources.
II. Status of Country
Farmers grow cannabis throughout the country, often on plots also used for
staples. Cannabis cultivation is clandestine and the volume of production is
not easily determined. Recent arrests and interception of cannabis at Kotoka
International Airport, as well as other police interdiction efforts, indicate
an upward trend in the availability of cannabis.
Cocaine and heroin arrive from South America and Southeast and Southwest Asia.
Consumption of these drugs is increasing within Ghana. Trafficking of
cocaine and heroin through Accra's Kotoka International Airport has decreased
considerably due to intensified security checks, but the same cannot be said
of the western and eastern borders. Nigerian traffickers move cocaine and
heroin through the Republic of Benin and Togo largely unimpeded, and Ghana is
likely to experience heavier importation through the border stations at Aflao
and Elubo. Illicit trade in diamonds, gold and narcotics are responsible for
some money laundering, which occurs primarily within the foreign exchange
bureaus.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. The NCB has set out to determine the most effective
ways of controlling the drug problem in Ghana. It attempts to coordinate both
governmental and non-governmental counternarcotics efforts, and has nearly
completed revisions of its narcotics control strategy, placing more emphasis
on international awareness and cooperation. The NCB has submitted proposals
to the GOG to amend Ghana's Narcotic Drugs Law, seeking to standardize
sentences and increase fines. It also wants to have property and funds seized
in narcotics cases turned over to the NCB rather than the general treasury.
Accomplishments. The NCB's rapid deployment team joined the police
narcotics unit to actively seek out producers/distributors and carry out
eradication efforts. The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS)
narcotics units seized 6.1 mt of cannabis being prepared for export.
Enforcement Efforts. Ghana sent students to take part in several UNDCP
courses held in Abidjan. The police cooperate with the NCB and CEPS in
interdictions, seizures and arrests. Regional narcotics squads operate in
drug-prone areas and on the borders with Togo and Cote D'Ivoire.
Corruption. In April, authorities arrested a prominent businessman with
alleged connections to high-ranking government figures for importing 417 grams
of heroin by mail, but no official involvement is suggested. Ghana has tough
laws against narcotics-related government corruption; there was no evidence
during 1996 of corruption within the ranks of Ghana's police or antinarcotics
forces.
Agreements and Treaties. Ghana is a party to the 1988 UN Convention, the
1961 UN Single Convention and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic
Substances. Ghana is also covered by a 1931 extradition treaty between the US
and the UK, although no extraditions took place during the year.
Cultivation/Production. Cannabis is grown throughout the rural areas of
the country, often hidden within fields of legal staples.
Drug Flow/Transit. Ghana is a drug transit country. Trafficking routes
are old and established; drugs are moved across the borders with Togo and Cote
D'Ivoire, by air via Kotoka International Airport and by sea through the ports
of Takoradi and Tema. Heroin is still the principal drug transiting Ghana,
and Europe the is the primary destination. Nigerian traffickers work in
partnership with Ghanaians, with the former often seeking poor Ghanaians to
serve as couriers. Both cocaine and heroin seizures increased in 1996, a
result both of better law enforcement efforts and increased drug shipments.
Demand Reduction. The NCB is working with local governments and schools to
educate both children and adults regarding the dangers of drug use,
cultivation and trafficking. Ghana's governmental drug rehabilitation efforts
are not as strong as its preventive efforts, but several NGO's opened drug
treatment centers in 1996.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives. The USG is working with the GOG to support
self-sufficient, well trained antinarcotics forces, and thus to improve
interdiction efforts and make Ghana a less attractive transit point for
traffickers. The USG will offer training opportunities for GOG
counternarcotics agents and will cooperate with Ghanaian counterparts in the
fight against international drug trafficking and money laundering.
Bilateral Cooperation. The USG purchased over $8,000 worth of equipment
for the NCB in 1996. In addition, US Embassy officials in Accra worked
closely with Ghanaian counterparts to combat illicit trafficking and abuse.
DEA provided a course in February for 25 members of the police, CEPS and the
NCB. The topics covered included asset seizure, financial investigation and
money laundering.
The Road Ahead. The USG will continue to support the GOG in its
antinarcotics efforts. In addition to including Ghana in regional training
plans, US Embassy personnel will work with GOG individuals and agencies to
curb the trafficking of cocaine and heroin through the country. The USG also
will seek to achieve expeditious extradition of narcotics fugitives wanted by
the US.
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