*Majority Leader Outlines Gov't Next Steps In Fight Against Narcotics; Says Transformation of NACOC Not Yet Complete*

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has admitted that while the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has grown into a stronger and more capable institution, its transformation is not yet complete.

Addressing a press conference on the state of the fight against narcotics in the country, Majority Leader and MP for Builsa North, Hon. James Agalga, said government is being honest about the challenges in order to fairly assess its performance and prioritize reforms.

"The Majority does not stand before the Ghanaian public today to claim that the transformation is complete. NACOC has grown into a stronger, more capable nationwide institution. But in some areas this growth needs to be faster, such as technology, infrastructure and specialist resources needed to fully support it," Hon. Agalga stated.

"This is not justification. It is an honest setting in which to fairly assess the government's performance and to understand the priorities that will be used to inform the next step in reform," he added.

The Majority Leader said the main challenge at Ghana's ports is not just the lack of scanners, but the absence of an effective and complete narcotics control chain.

According to him, the system must ensure consistent participation of NACOC in all relevant joint inspections, from profiling to release.

He listed key gaps as the lack of eye cams, real-time access to customs and cargo tracking systems, and a fully operational NACOC security check desk at the ports.

"The main challenge at our ports is not just the lack of scanners but the lack of an effective and complete narcotics control chain. From profiling to release with consistent participation of NACOC in all relevant joint inspections," he said.

Hon. Agalga warned that drug traffickers are adaptive and will always exploit the weakest link in the enforcement chain.

"Traffickers never give up. When one route is difficult, they adjust to the least controlled routes at our airports, maritime routes and land borders," he noted.

Outlining government's next line of investment, the Majority Leader said focus will be on modern detection technology, dedicated maritime assets, real-time integration of data across customs, ports, borders and intelligence agencies, and continued investment in personnel, prevention and treatment capacity.

"The next steps of investment for this government are therefore aimed at modern detection technology, dedicated maritime assets, the real-time integration of data across customs, ports, borders and intelligence and continued investment in personnel, prevention and treatment capability," Hon. Agalga stressed.

He reiterated the Majority's call for stronger inter-agency collaboration, insisting no single agency can win the war against narcotics alone.

The Majority Caucus also urged the media and the public to assess government's efforts based on evidence and hold it accountable for the reforms ahead.