Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director‑General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), delivered a striking appeal to Ghanaian journalists at the Ashanti Media Excellence Awards in Kumasi. He urged reporters to move past headline‑making drug seizures and focus on the underlying networks and vulnerabilities that enable illicit trafficking.
Speaking on behalf of the Director‑General, Ashanti Regional Director Rees Hakeem Oduro reiterated the message, emphasizing the need for investigative journalism that uncovers how trafficking networks function and the gaps they exploit. Mantey said such work would improve public understanding of the narcotics trade and strengthen efforts to protect vulnerable communities.
“When the public hears about a drug seizure or an arrest, there is an understandable interest in the immediate facts. But there is also a wider story,” Mantey said.
He urged journalists to look beyond dramatic headlines and examine the wider issues surrounding narcotics, including institutional responses and measures needed to safeguard communities.
The Director‑General highlighted the importance of evidence‑based reporting, warning journalists against presenting allegations as established facts. He called on reporters to use their platforms to highlight community concerns, especially those affecting young people and other vulnerable groups.
Under the theme “Celebrating Excellence, Championing Credibility: Journalism in the Age of AI,” Mantey reiterated NACOC’s commitment to constructive engagement with the media. The commission aims to promote public education, accountability and efforts to protect society from the harms associated with illicit drugs.
Journalists in Ghana now face a new mandate: to dig deeper into the structures that sustain drug trafficking, expose institutional weaknesses, and bring to light the broader social impacts of the trade. The call signals a shift from reactive enforcement to proactive, investigative coverage that could reshape public policy and community resilience.
As the media landscape evolves, NACOC’s appeal underscores the pivotal role of journalism in safeguarding Ghana’s future. Reporters who heed this call may uncover stories that drive meaningful change and strengthen the nation’s fight against narcotics.
