Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and its Ghanaian counterpart, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), have intensified their partnership to combat illicit drug trafficking in both countries.
The collaboration was reinforced when the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), hosted a delegation from NACOC led by its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey, on a benchmarking visit and study tour of NDLEA’s operational model at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking during the engagement, Marwa stated that the new partnership between the two nations should serve as a warning to drug cartels seeking to destabilise the West African sub-region with illicit drugs.
“Let this visit serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilise our societies with illicit drugs: Nigeria and Ghana stand united. We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and dominate the tactical space until our streets and communities are safe,” he said.
He described the visit as a testament to the longstanding cooperation between the two nations and a clear signal that the bond between Nigeria and Ghana remains a cornerstone of regional security in West Africa.
“The threat posed by transnational organised crime, particularly drug trafficking and its associated money laundering activities, knows no borders. As we have seen, the evolution of these threats requires a response that is not only robust but also deeply collaborative. We recognise that by coming together to share expertise in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies, we are effectively narrowing the space for criminal cartels to operate within our sub-region.
“This visit is more than a study tour; it is a strategic alignment. During your time with us, we look forward to knowledge exchange during which we share the NDLEA’s recent advancements in digital forensics and organisational best practices. Part of the expected gains is operational synergy as we will be discussing emerging trafficking trends that affect the West African corridor, while we equally explore new frontiers for technical cooperation and joint training exercises.”
Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which Marwa described as the most significant milestone of the engagement.
“This agreement on combating the illicit production of psychotropic substances, their precursors, and related money laundering activities provides us with a legal and operational roadmap. It moves our relationship from informal consultation to a structured, aggressive, and unified front against drug barons,” he added.
In his remarks, Mantey acknowledged that Nigeria has consistently played a leading role within the West African sub-region and that Ghana holds that leadership in the highest regard.
“In many respects, we look to Nigeria as an elder brother. Beyond that, the relationship between our two countries is deeply valued. It is grounded in shared history, mutual respect, and a common commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development across West Africa,” he stated.
He disclosed that, over the years, the bond has translated into strong cooperation, with the partnership between both parties standing as a clear and practical reflection of an enduring relationship.
“For us therefore, this visit is not about beginning a new chapter, but about strengthening an already solid foundation, deepening trust, exchanging experiences, and making our collaboration even more practical and impactful.”
While highlighting the significance of the new partnership with NDLEA, Mantey noted that the drug menace across the region continues to evolve in both scale and complexity, and stressed the urgent need for collaboration.
“We are witnessing increasingly sophisticated trafficking methods, a greater reliance on maritime corridors, and a growing presence of synthetic drugs. At the same time, the linkages between drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime are becoming more pronounced, with implications for security, governance, and public health.
“In Ghana, we are also observing a gradual shift. While we have historically been considered largely a transit point, there is now a growing domestic dimension, both in terms of drug use and internal distribution. This makes the challenge more complex, but also more urgent. And it reinforces a simple but critical reality: no single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” he remarked.
He also emphasised that the partnership’s purpose is clear — to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional relationships, and identify practical areas for enhanced cooperation, particularly in operations, training, and intelligence sharing.
The Director-General stressed that the focus extends beyond activities alone across these areas, revealing that Ghana is especially interested in the systems behind the successes — the structures, policies, and operational models that ensure consistency, efficiency, and long-term impact.
“We are especially pleased to bring our discussions on bilateral cooperation to a meaningful conclusion with the long-awaited signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marking a significant milestone toward deeper collaboration and a stronger partnership between our two agencies.
“For us, this MOU must go beyond a symbolic gesture. It should translate into real, measurable outcomes, stronger intelligence sharing, more coordinated joint operations, structured training exchanges, and closer day-to-day collaboration between our respective teams. The true value of this partnership will be defined not by what we sign, but by what we implement,” he added.
Mantey further expressed gratitude to the NDLEA leadership for its hospitality, openness, and the spirit of cooperation that has characterised the engagement.
He affirmed the value of the relationship and reiterated NACOC’s commitment to strengthening it even further.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Acting Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Gladys Mansa Yawa Feddy Akyea, other senior officials of the High Commission, members of the NACOC delegation, and top management staff of NDLEA.
