Former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, Ebenezer Gilbert Nii Narh Nartey, has held government authorities and border officials accountable for the infiltration of harmful substances into Ghana.
His remarks come in the wake of a BBC Africa Eye investigation that uncovered an Indian pharmaceutical company illegally exporting unlicensed and highly addictive opioids to West Africa, including Ghana.
The investigation revealed that these drugs, branded with the Aveo logo, were being sold on the streets in Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, exacerbating a growing public health crisis.
In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Nartey criticized the country’s weak border controls and accused officials of negligence and corruption.
“I blame the people in authority as well as those in charge of our borders. We have several institutions at the borders to prevent harmful substances from entering the country, yet, due to selfishness and greed, they allow it,” he stated.
He questioned the role of agencies such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ministry of Health, and national security in addressing the issue, stressing that personal interests often take precedence over national safety.
“The use of hard drugs in this country is appalling, but the real issue is how we deal with those responsible. What are the security agencies and regulatory bodies doing? The problem of this country is our own selfishness and greed,” he added.
Mr. Nartey called for stronger enforcement of border security measures to prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs into Ghana.
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