The Minister of Information, Sammuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is in India where he has held meeting with the Indian Government and top Officials of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the illicit importation of dangerous Opioids to Ghana.
The Minister wrote that ”today I held a crucial, timely and frank meeting in India with top officials of the Government of India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the illicit importation of dangerous opioids to Ghana, which is fueling a public health crisis and destroying many of our youth”.
”We shared intelligence and provided evidence which the Ghanaian Government has so far compiled following firm instructions from President Mahama that the opioid menace be confronted head on”.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, Indian officials led by Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary at the Commerce and Industry Ministry have pledged to clamp down on Indian Pharmaceutical Companies engaged in the criminal enterprise. They have promised to withdraw licenses and prosecute the masterminds.
Further, he has tasked Ghana’s High Commission in New Delhi to maintain close contact with the relevant Indian government officials, keenly monitor the situation and provide regular updates.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister commended the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their warm reception and their demonstrable commitment to work with Ghana to resolve this crisis.