ECOWAS committed to regional plan to curb organised crime

By Ken Sackey, GNA
Accra, April 27, GNA - ECOWAS member states at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on drugs (UNGASS) have affirmed their commitment to the implementation of the ECOWAS Political Declaration and Regional Action Plan.

The Plan is to address illicit drug trafficking, organized crimes and drug abuse in West Africa.

The regional bloc, according to a statement issued by the Commission and made available to the Ghana News Agency, at the UNGASS held on April 19, 2016 in New York, highlighted their efforts in the areas of drug prevention and treatment.

They also aligned themselves to statements made on behalf of the African Union States and the African States by South Africa and Sudan respectively.

In addition, ECOWAS member states adopted an outcome document titled, 'Our Joint Commitment to Effectively Addressing and Countering the World Drug Problem' at the opening of the Thirtieth special session.

The ECOWAS delegation was led by Ambassador TANOU KONE Léon, Permanent Representative of ECOWAS to the United Nations and it included Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director, Gender, Youth and Drug Control.

They are participating in the event to review progress in the implementation of the Political Declaration and the Plan of Action, including an assessment of the achievements and challenges in countering the world drug problem.

UN Member states at the session commended the Commission for Narcotic Drugs (CND) for the comprehensive and inclusive process undertaken to produce the UNGASS outcome document.

In addition, the UN member states welcomed the adoption of the outcome document and reiterated their commitment to implement the measures elaborated based on an effective balance between supply and demand and to address the key causes and consequences of the world drug problem.

The ECOWAS delegation is expected in the next two days to participate in interactive, multi-stakeholder round table discussions and use the opportunity to engage partners to explore areas of cooperation.

The outcome document adopted will be used by ECOWAS Commission to strengthen actions with member states and will be integrated into the Draft ECOWAS 2016 - 2020 Drug Action Plan to be validated and adopted in third quarter of 2016.

GNA