The Vision for Alternative Development (VALD) has called on the Ghanaian government to intensify investments in drug prevention strategies as the country joins the global community to observe the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse.
In a statement signed by Executive Director Issah Ali and shared with the Ghana News Agency, VALD underscored the urgency of adopting a prevention-first approach, aligning with this year’s global theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention. Break the Cycle.”
Mr. Ali warned that drug trafficking networks are expanding rapidly across Africa, Asia, and Europe, with Ghana facing increasing exposure to synthetic opioids such as nitazenes—highly potent drugs posing serious threats to public health.
He noted that drug trafficking in Ghana is intricately linked to other illicit activities like human trafficking, illegal mining, and environmental degradation. These interrelated crimes, he said, perpetuate a cycle of poverty, institutional weakness, and social harm.
To counter this, VALD is urging the government to make strategic investments in justice, healthcare, education, and alternative livelihoods. Mr. Ali stressed the need for prevention to be integrated into national development and security policies, with civil society organizations playing a critical role in raising awareness—particularly among the youth.
“Stopping drug trafficking is not about temporary fixes,” Mr. Ali stated. “It requires sustained, long-term efforts that address both supply and demand. Investing in prevention is not just smart policy—it is the most humane and effective approach.”
VALD reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders in breaking the cycle of drug abuse and organised crime, calling for immediate action grounded in evidence and driven by political will.
