Catholic Bishops urge stronger action against drug trafficking and substance abuse

The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has called for intensified efforts by state institutions to tackle drug trafficking and substance abuse, warning that the growing problem threatens public health, family stability, youth development and national security.

The Bishops urged relevant authorities to strengthen intelligence-led operations, tighten border controls and expand public education and rehabilitation services as part of a comprehensive response to the menace.

Their concerns follow a series of major international drug seizures involving consignments traced to Ghana, raising questions about the country's cargo-screening and export monitoring systems.

The latest incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11, when Spanish authorities intercepted 2.6 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a shipment of coconuts originating from Ghana. Two men were arrested after investigators tracked the consignment from the port of Valencia to a warehouse in Almería.

In a communiqué issued after their annual Plenary Assembly, held from November 3 to 14, 2026, at the Divine Providence Pastoral Centre in Jamasi, the Bishops expressed alarm over the scale of drug trafficking and substance abuse in the country.

“The alarming rates of drug trafficking and substance abuse, posing a threat to public health, family stability, youth development and national security, cause us great distress,” they stated.

They called on state institutions to intensify enforcement through intelligence gathering, appropriate sanctions and stronger border surveillance.

“We call upon the relevant institutions to intensify intelligence-led enforcement, including legitimate punishment, border controls, public education and rehabilitation services,” the communiqué stated.

The Bishops, however, stressed that addressing the problem required more than law enforcement, urging families, schools and religious institutions to take a more active role in preventing substance abuse and supporting people struggling with drug dependency.

“Families, schools and religious institutions must equally strengthen preventive education and support for persons affected by substance dependency,” they added.

The annual assembly was held under the theme, “Communion, Participation and Mission: Preparing the Catholic Church in Ghana for Her 150th Anniversary in 2030.”