The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ambrose Dery, has called for stronger collaboration among countries to fight drug menacewhich have become an issue across the world.

He said the operation of drug dealers needs stronger collaboration to fight them since one country cannot do it alone. He, therefore, called for support and capacity building forofficers of the Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Police Service and Ghana Immigration Service and other key stakeholders to perform well.

Hon. Ambrose Dery made the call during a courtesy call on him by Mr. Todd Robinson, United States Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement to discuss International Narcotics Law support and programming in Ghana.

The Minister thanked Mr. Todd Robinson for the visit and expressed the Government’s gratitude to the US Government for its support in the area of International Narcotics Law support and programming in Ghana and other areas.

He assured Ghanaians of Government’s commitment to peace, safety, security and an enabling environment in the country. He added that ‘without a safe environment, nothing works’ because it is a cardinal foundation for peace and security which leads to economic development and must be protected for the good of the people living in the country.

Mr. Todd Robinson, who was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Virginia Palmer and other officials thanked the Minister for the warm reception and assured the Minister of their continuous support to Ghana.

International Narcotics and Law (INL) Enforcement Affairs programming in Ghana is aimed at helping the country address its involvement in transnational organized crime activities and trafficking.

The programme is done through a multi-year strategy that focuses on strengthening rule of law and law enforcement as well as supporting capacity building and modernization in key areas.

This includes engaging in border and customs management initiatives, assisting in the development of strategies for dismantling and disrupting transnational criminal enterprises, and improving prosecutorial capabilities.

The INL also provides technical assistance and capacity building to various government agencies and private organizations to help them effectively implement anti-trafficking and anti-corruption initiatives. Additionally, the programme provides resources for counter-narcotic-related training to enhance law enforcement in Ghana.