Abuja: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana have fortified their collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking cartels operating across the West African sub-region and beyond. Speaking during a courtesy visit by a NACOC delegation in Abuja, NDLEA boss Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa emphasized that this new alliance serves as a stern warning to drug cartels aiming to destabilize the region with illicit drugs.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the NACOC team was led by their Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Maxwell Mantey, on a benchmarking visit and study tour to examine the NDLEA operational model. Marwa highlighted that the visit symbolizes the enduring cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana and underscores the importance of their united efforts in maintaining regional security in West Africa.
Marwa stated, “Let this visit serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilize our societies with illicit drugs; Nigeria and Ghana stand united. We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and dominate the tactical space until our streets and communities are safe.” He further underscored the borderless threat posed by transnational organized crime, particularly drug trafficking and its associated money laundering activities, and stressed the need for a robust and collaborative response.
Marwa mentioned the significance of sharing expertise in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies to effectively narrow the operational space for criminal cartels within the sub-region. He described the visit as a strategic alignment rather than just a study tour, anticipating knowledge exchange on NDLEA’s advancements in digital forensics and organizational best practices.
He also discussed operational synergy and the importance of exploring new frontiers for technical cooperation and joint training exercises. Marwa emphasized the agreement on combating the illicit production of psychotropic substances and related money laundering activities as a structured and unified front against drug barons.
In his remarks, Brig. Gen. Mantey acknowledged Nigeria’s leading role in the region, viewing it as an elder brother and expressing Ghana’s high regard for this leadership. Mantey noted the deep-rooted relationship between the two countries, built on shared history, mutual respect, and a commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development across West Africa.
Mantey highlighted the evolving and complex nature of drug trafficking in the region, emphasizing the need for collaboration due to increasingly sophisticated trafficking methods and the growing domestic dimension of drug-related issues in Ghana. He stated that no single country could effectively tackle these challenges in isolation.
Mantey underscored NACOC’s purpose of exchanging experiences, strengthening institutional relationships, and identifying practical areas for enhanced cooperation, particularly in operations, training, and intelligence sharing. He stressed the importance of systems behind successful operations and expressed satisfaction with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deeper collaboration and stronger partnerships.
He emphasized that the MoU should lead to real, measurable outcomes such as stronger intelligence sharing, more coordinated joint operations, and structured training exchanges, with the true value of the partnership being defined by implementation rather than mere formalities.
Mantey expressed gratitude to the NDLEA leadership for its hospitality and spirit of cooperation throughout the engagement. The ceremony was attended by the acting Ghanaian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr. Gladys Mansa, other senior officials of the High Commission, and members of the NACOC delegation along with top management staff of the NDLEA.