The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana have deepened cooperation against drug trafficking cartels across the West Africa sub-region and beyond.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation from NACOC on Tuesday in Abuja, the NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the new partnership would serve as a warning to drug cartels planning to destabilise the West Africa sub-region with illicit drugs.

The NACOC team, led by the director general, Maxwell Mantey, conducted a benchmarking visit and study tour of the NDLEA operational model.

Mr Marwa noted that the visit was a testament to the longstanding cooperation between the two nations and a clear signal that the bond between Nigeria and Ghana remained a cornerstone of regional security in West Africa.

“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.

The NDLEA boss further noted that the threat posed by transnational organised crime, particularly drug trafficking and its associated money laundering activities, knew no borders.

According to him, 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,” he said.

Mr Marwa added that part of the expected gains would come from operational synergy, as the agency would discuss emerging trafficking trends affecting the West African corridor.

He added that the agency would equally explore new frontiers for technical cooperation and joint training exercises.

“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 stated.

In his remarks, Mr Mantey noted that Nigeria had consistently played a leading role within the region and Ghana had held that leadership in the highest regard.

According to him, in many respects, Ghana looks up to Nigeria as an elder brother, adding that, beyond that, the relationship between the 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,” Mr Mantey said.

He noted that over the years, the bond had translated into strong cooperation, with the partnership between NACOC and NDLEA standing as a clear and practical reflection of that 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,” he said.

Buttressing the significance of the new partnership with NDLEA, Mr Mantey added that the drug menace across the region continued to evolve in both scale and complexity; hence, the urgent need to collaborate with partners.

“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,” he said.

According to him, 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.

Mr Mantey said NACOC came with a clear purpose, noting that it was to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional relationships, and identify practical areas for enhanced cooperation, particularly in operations, training, and intelligence sharing.

The NACOC director general said their focus goes beyond activities alone, adding that they were particularly interested in the systems behind the successes, the structures, policies and operational models that ensured 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 MoU, 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 said.

Mr Mantey expressed appreciation to the NDLEA leadership for its hospitality, openness and the spirit of cooperation that had characterised the engagement.

Present at the ceremony were the acting Ghanaian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Gladys Mansa, and other senior officials of the High Commission, as well as members of the NACOC delegation and top management staff of the NDLEA.

The high point of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the NDLEA and the NACOC.

(NAN)