Interior Minister, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has lauded JoyNews for the investigative documentary, ‘Deadly Doses,’ which exposed the depth of Ghana’s drug crisis.
The exposé, produced by Nana Boakye Yiadom, revealed notorious drug dens such as Thinker Island and Columbia, where narcotics are openly traded and consumed. The investigation also highlighted the daily struggles of addicts caught in cycles of abuse, neglect and survival.
Receiving a copy of the documentary, the Interior Minister described the revelations as disturbing but timely, adding that they provide critical insight into Ghana’s growing drug problem.
He commended JoyNews for drawing national attention to the devastating effects of substance abuse and the growing networks of illicit drug hubs across the country.
JoyNews’ Hotline documentary, Deadly Doses, uncovered how Kumasi’s hidden drug underworld operates, exposing the networks that fuel the trade and the devastating impact on vulnerable communities.
It also highlights the failure of authorities to clamp down on the illicit trade and the lack of support systems for victims.
Struck by the chilling revelations, Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak held an engagement with the producer and a JoyNews delegation when they presented him with a copy of the documentary.
He commended the Multimedia Group for shining the spotlight on an issue he described as a national security and public health concern.
“I know the sacrifice Joy FM and the team put into this. We (Interior Ministry) are very grateful, and we don’t take it lightly. To have sacrificed and risked going into the den is commendable, but I plead that you don’t think it is done. Let’s continue and give ourselves a three-year programme to follow up again and again,” he said.
Muntaka Mubarak pledged a nationwide crackdown on drug dens, stressing that the revelations in the documentary highlight the urgent need for decisive action.
He assured the public that security agencies will intensify efforts to dismantle drug hubs.
“Those chasing us are not tired so we won’t get tired. We have been working for over six months. Not today but we are going to do some busting around the coast because it’s a well-coordinated operation they carry…..We are going to do more target operations in the coming days” he indicated.
In addition, the Minister announced plans to establish rehabilitation centres across the country in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission and other relevant agencies.
The initiative, he explained, seeks not only to combat the drug trade but also to offer treatment and recovery opportunities for addicts.
”One of the biggest headaches we have now is the rehabilitation centres….I’m trying to persuade the Finance Minister to see the need for us to at least be able to build a sizable one in the middle belt—Kumasi and the north,” he added.
According to him, the government is determined to tackle the crisis on both fronts, disrupting the supply of narcotics while creating avenues for rehabilitation and reintegration.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Source: myjoyonline.com
