NACOC to establish first training school at Akwamu

Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) will establish its first training school. This school will be located in Akwamu, Eastern Region of Ghana. The Akwamuhene and his elders donated 100 acres of land for this purpose.

This initiative follows a meeting between NACOC and the Akwamu Traditional Council. During this meeting, NACOC expressed its desire to create the training school. The Council supported this initiative, marking a positive partnership.

Mr. Twum Barima is the Deputy Director-General of NACOC. He visited the Akwamu Traditional Council to introduce Brigadier-General Maxwell Mantey, NACOC's Director-General. The visit also aimed to thank the Council for their support.

Currently, NACOC relies on the Ghana Army and Navy for staff training. They do not have their own training school yet. Personnel are being trained at the Naval Training School in Tema.

New recruits are receiving training in a suburb of the Volta Region. Mr. Barima emphasized that having their own training school is necessary. Other services like Police and Immigration already have their own schools.

He noted that such developments could transform local communities positively. He referenced the Police Training School established in Kumasi during the 1980s as an example.

Mr. Barima believes NACOC’s future training school will benefit Akwamu significantly. Since taking office weeks ago, NACOC has made several arrests related to drug trafficking.

Their intelligence unit has identified many suspects who will be apprehended soon. All arrested individuals are processed for court within three days. Those arrested in Takoradi, Accra, and Atimpoku have already faced court proceedings.

Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, King of Akwamu State, congratulated NACOC's leadership on their appointments. He expressed concern about rising hard drug use among youth in society.

The King highlighted that this trend threatens societal stability and development. He acknowledged NACOC's critical role in promoting healthy lifestyles among citizens.

To support the project further, he engaged divisional chiefs about additional land allocation for the training school. The Council has also contacted relevant agencies about this upcoming project.