The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has revealed that the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) currently operates in just 66 of Ghana's 261 districts due to severe resource constraints, limiting the country's ability to effectively combat drug-related crimes.

Appearing before Parliament's Public Assurance Committee, the Minister said the government has set an ambitious target of extending the Commission's operations to every district within the next five to six years.

He noted that expanding NACOC's footprint nationwide is a key component of government's strategy to strengthen the fight against narcotics trafficking and related offences.

According to Mr Muntaka, the Commission continues to grapple with inadequate personnel and a shortage of modern operational equipment, challenges that have affected its ability to fully discharge its mandate.

Despite these setbacks, he said efforts are underway to improve the agency's operational capacity, particularly at Ghana's major entry points.

The Minister disclosed that the country is expecting the arrival of a state-of-the-art scanning system for deployment at the Kotoka International Airport, adding that the equipment is expected to be delivered this week.

He further announced that Ghana is also set to receive about eight additional scanners through support from the Singaporean government following President John Dramani Mahama's recent visit to the Asian country.

Once delivered, the scanners are expected to be installed at strategic border crossings and ports, including Tema Port, Takoradi Port, Elubo, Aflao, Paga and Hamile, to strengthen the detection of illicit drugs and other prohibited substances.

Mr Muntaka said the government is also benefiting from assistance provided by the Netherlands government and the Office of the President as part of ongoing efforts to modernise NACOC's operations.

He assured members of the Committee that the new equipment would be deployed to high-risk locations to maximise its impact in disrupting drug trafficking networks.

While acknowledging the Commission's financial and logistical limitations, the Minister stressed that improving NACOC's operational strength remains a national priority as Ghana intensifies efforts to secure its borders and curb the movement of narcotic substances across the country.