News
NACOC orders mandatory registration for dealers in controlled chemicals and equipment
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has directed all individuals, businesses and institutions dealing in precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances and controlled equipment to register with the Commission by July 31, 2026.
In a public notice, NACOC said the registration is mandatory under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), and applies to all operators in the supply chain.
According to the Commission, anyone involved in the importation, exportation, manufacture, production, distribution, wholesale, retail, sale, storage, transportation or brokerage of the substances must obtain the required licence and authorisation before starting or continuing operations.
It added that the directive also covers laboratories, research institutions, industries and educational institutions that use the substances or equipment.
NACOC explained that the nationwide registration exercise is aimed at strengthening the monitoring and regulation of precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances and controlled equipment.
It said the exercise would help promote their lawful use, prevent them from being diverted into the illegal production of narcotic drugs, improve national security and public safety, and ensure compliance with Ghana’s laws and international obligations.
The Commission reminded existing operators to renew expired licences and ensure their registrations remain valid.
It warned that anyone operating without the required registration, licence or authorisation would be in breach of the law and could face administrative, civil or criminal sanctions under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).
NACOC listed several types of controlled equipment that require registration and regulatory oversight. These include encapsulating machines, tableting machines, rotary evaporators, high-capacity laboratory glassware, condensers, separating funnels, heating apparatus, reaction vessels, mixers, pill counting machines, pill polishing machines, and punches and dies.
The Commission urged all affected persons and organisations to begin the registration process immediately or regularise their existing registration status before the July 31 deadline.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, is appealing to the public to help trace the relatives or next of kin of Apia Solomon, a Ghanaian national believed to be from Osu, Accra.
According to a public announcement by the High Commission, Mr. Solomon, born on March 6, 1960, in Accra, died on July 5, 2021, from cardiopulmonary failure.
He worked as a temporary civilian staff member at the National Defence College in Nigeria. His remains are currently being kept at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital morgue in Abuja, pending burial arrangements.
The High Commission says efforts to locate his relatives have so far been unsuccessful and is urging anyone with information about his family, friends or next of kin to come forward.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Ghana High Commission in Abuja.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Security consultant Richard Kumadoe has blamed what he describes as flawed recruitment and incomplete background checks for some of the problems facing the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI).
He has called on the leadership of the BNI to review the backgrounds of officers recruited during specific periods, particularly those who entered the agency under recent recruitment processes.
Speaking on the issue on TV3 yesterday, Mr Kumadoe alleged that some individuals were recruited into the intelligence agency without proper background checks and completed vetting.
“Certain categories of persons were dumped into the BNI, whose backgrounds were not checked, and whose vettings were not completed,” he stated.
He said some of the officers linked to the concerns appeared to have been recruited within the same period, making it necessary for the agency to examine the recruitment records and backgrounds of those who joined during that time.
Mr Kumadoe argued that the problems could be addressed by ensuring that recruitment procedures were properly followed and that all applicants underwent the required checks before being employed.
According to him, when the selection process is flawed, it can lead to problems within the institution.
He blamed the politicisation of security institutions, arguing that appointing people without the necessary intelligence experience and allowing political interests to influence recruitment could undermine their operations.
“When you have a selection procedure that was flawed because you politicised the place, brought in people to come and head the place when they have no business being there, they don’t know anything about being a BNI officer, they are not intelligence officers, and you flood the place with politicians and political artists, then you circumvent the standard procedure and you are going to have some of these problems,” he said.
Mr Kumadoe, however, defended the current leadership of the BNI, arguing that efforts to address longstanding problems within security institutions could bring such issues to light.
He said the leadership should be assessed in the context of the steps it is taking to improve the agency’s operations and uphold professional standards.
Drawing on his own experience in the intelligence field, he said the opportunity to serve under experienced officers had helped him develop the skills and integrity needed to contribute to national security.
By: Jacob Aggrey
