The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has urged West African countries to take swift, coordinated action to curb the alarming surge in synthetic drugs and cocaine trafficking across the region.

Speaking at a High-Level Regional Dialogue on the Drug Market in West Africa, the Minister warned that the region’s drug landscape is transforming at an unprecedented pace, with synthetic substances emerging in new locations and long-established cocaine routes shifting rapidly.

He outlined Ghana’s three-pronged strategy for addressing the threat:

Enhancing operational readiness across security and enforcement agencies.

Prioritising community protection, ensuring that citizens remain at the centre of national drug-response efforts.

Strengthening partnerships with regional and international stakeholders to boost collective effectiveness.

Alhaji Muntaka stressed that citizens expect concrete action, not rhetoric.

“Our people are not asking for eloquent speeches.

They expect decisions that shield their children, protect their borders, and strengthen their institutions,” he said.

The Netherlands Minister for Justice and Security, Mr Foort Van Oosten, echoed the call for strengthened collaboration.

He emphasised that no single country can combat drug trafficking alone, but that collective efforts can yield significant results.

He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at tackling organised and transnational crime.

The regional dialogue aims to build a more coordinated and resilient response to the expanding drug threat.

Participants are expected to commit to practical, measurable actions—from border control reforms to community-level interventions—to safeguard the security and stability of West Africa.