NACOC Boss calls for greater investment in intelligence and technology to fight border crime

The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Maj. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has called for increased investment in intelligence, forensic capabilities and technology to strengthen border security and combat organised crime across the West African sub-region.

He said the growing sophistication of criminal networks, particularly those involved in drug trafficking, requires security agencies to adopt innovative approaches and deepen collaboration beyond traditional border control measures.

Maj. Gen. Mantey made the call during a panel discussion at the 2026 West Africa Border Security Week in Accra under the theme, “Strengthening Border Security through Regional Cooperation and Innovation.”

The NACOC Director-General noted that while physical security infrastructure remains important, effective border management must be supported by intelligence gathering, modern surveillance technology, forensic tools, and coordinated action among security agencies.

According to him, criminal organisations operate across national boundaries and continue to exploit gaps in security systems, making regional cooperation and intelligence sharing indispensable in addressing the threat.

He stressed the need for countries within the sub-region to strengthen partnerships and develop interoperable systems that would enhance information exchange and support joint operations against organised crime.

Maj. Gen. Mantey reiterated NACOC’s commitment to working closely with relevant state security agencies to ensure that Ghana’s entry and exit points are adequately secured against drug trafficking and other illicit activities.

“NACOC is well positioned to partner with managers of the border posts to tackle and control organised crime across the continent,” he stated.

The Director-General emphasized the importance of involving border communities in security efforts, noting that residents often possess valuable knowledge of criminal groups' activities and movements.

He urged stakeholders responsible for managing border posts to pay closer attention to host communities and leverage their local knowledge to support intelligence gathering and crime prevention efforts.

He called on governments, security institutions and border management authorities across the continent to strengthen collaborative efforts to curb organised crime and safeguard the security of their respective countries.