President Mahama calls on chiefs to expose tramadol, narcotics suppliers

President John Dramani Mahama has called on traditional authorities to collaborate with the Ghana Police Service and youth groups to identify and expose suppliers of tramadol and other illicit drugs operating within their communities.

According to the President, the growing abuse of narcotic substances has become a major concern, with suppliers and distributors continuing to profit from the illegal trade.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House, President Mahama said individuals abusing such substances should be regarded as victims, while greater attention must be focused on dismantling the supply networks behind the drug trade.

“The growing drug abuse crisis among the youth requires urgent national attention. The abuse of tramadol and other narcotics is destroying lives, destabilising families, and undermining community security. I urge our traditional leaders to join in the fight against drug abuse. Work with the youth groups and police and set up task forces to identify the distributors. They live among us. They take delivery of bulk supplies of tramadol and sell them to our children,” he said.

He added, “We must identify these people and root them out so that we can stop the supply of these drugs within our traditional areas. I call on chiefs to work with the youth groups and the Ghana Police Service so that we identify those who supply narcotic drugs and deal with them.”