The Role Of Unodc In Combatting Drug Trafficking In West Africa

Ghana and Guinea-Bissau are two countries found in the West African subregion of the African continent.Both countries have been observed to be experiencing high levels of drug activities.African countries have been identified as transit points for drug lords who carry these drugs from Central and Southern America to countries in Africa for onward transportation to European countries.The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has been responsible for helping partner nations fight drug trafficking in those countries.In view of their mandate,they have engaged in partnerships with African countries including Ghana and Guinea Bissau to help these countries fight the issue of drug trafficking.This involved implementation of international best practices,monitoring and evaluating the impact of these projects and other activities.These projects have however resulted in different degrees of success and failure,an indication that there may be local factors that are influencing the achievement of the goals of the projects of UNODC.The neo elitist perspective or theory was employed in the study to explain the role of elitists in affecting the political and social atmosphere of their countries.National elites include individual and persons found in high-ranking positions within their organizations and societies who believe they have the ability to cause a change or disruption in the social and political structure with little or no repression.The elitist approach resulted in sharp distinction drawn between a disunified national elite and a consensually unified elite.The disunified elite comprises elites who are not united in their efforts and purpose to influence the political regime in their aims.On the other hand,consensually unified national elites include elites who have come to an agreement on the way the country or state should be governed.Even though there are instances where there is a consensus at the systems level,there are other instances where they disagree on the objectives of the governance system.Despite this,the consensual elites have been observed to promote a stable regime.In order to examine the reasons accounting for the differences in the implementation and success of UNODC projects in Ghana and Guinea Bissau,the study adopted a qualitative approach.This approach was adopted to help the research the contextual factors accounting for the observed differences between the two countries.Data was collected using primary and secondary means.Primary data was collected by gathering data from officials at the country office of UNODC in Ghana,Ghana Narcotics Control Board(NACOB),Customs Excise and Preventive Service(CEPS)among other state officials directly linked to the fight against drugs in Ghana.The data was collected by means of structured and unstructured interviews.Due to the sensitivity of the research,the approach could not be used to obtain data from Guinea Bissau.This meant data from Guinea Bissau was largely from secondary sources such as books,articles,newsletters and magazines published in line with this study.There are several reasons that can be alluded to concerning why there were differences in the impact of UNODC activities in Ghana and Guinea Bissau.The political environment in two countries tend to offer credible explanation as to why the two countries have experienced differences in the impact.Ghana has enjoyed a relatively stable political environment with the inception of the fourth republican constitutional rule.Unlike Ghana,Guinea Bissau has not enjoyed peace and stability resulting in a breakdown in the social and political environment leading to high incidences of drug trade.Beyond the political commitment and political stability enjoyed by Ghana,there is a high level of improvement in the security apparatus of the country especially at its main entry point,Kotoka International Airport.This has been achieved through a joint effort by the authorities of Ghana and Westbridge,a UK company.This helped to reduce the amount of illicit drugs that are carried through the entry point.Beyond the tightening of security at the main entry point is the strengthening of the security at the other borders(land borders)of the country.These activities caused a reduction in the activities of the drug menace.The same cannot be said of Guinea-Bissau where there are porous borders,which permit the easy flow of drugs through the country.The level of poverty in Africa is a major cause of concern for the leaders of these countries as well as the international community.Most African countries are classified as underdeveloped or developing nations meaning most of the citizens are living in poverty.Even those employed have issues with finances talk less of those who are unemployed.Due to the poor conditions that the people live in,it has become common for them to seek other means of making money to support themselves and their families.Even though both countries are not developed,the economic conditions in Ghana are relatively better the conditions in Guinea-Bissau.Issues with law enforcement have also been highlighted as one of the defining features of drug trade in most African countries with Guinea-Bissau being the main culprit as observed in this study.Most of the laws on drug trade and international conventions are not being enforced in Guinea-Bissau resulting in a polarized state.This has enabled the transit of drugs through the country.Ghana has however enjoyed some improvements as far as the enforcement of laws are concerned.The concentration of power in few elites has been observed as a key contributor to increasing drug trade in Guinea-Bissau.Much of the political system in GuineaBissau is defined by a few elites compared to Ghana where political power has been entrusted in the hands some selected few who are accountable to the country and its citizens.Democratization of the Ghanaian political system has helped reduced the influence of few elites who wish to dominate society.Based on the findings of this study,recommendations have been suggested to help improve the capacity of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau in their fight against illicit drug trade.It is believed that if these recommendations are adhered to and properly implemented,the issue of illicit drug trade in the two countries would be reduced to the barest minimum if not totally eradicated.This study has been organized into five chapters.Chapter one introduces the study and covers the main argument,case selection,research questions,significance of the study,objectives and the research methodology which was adopted for this study.Chapter two reviews previous literature and the discussion of the theoretical framework.Chapter three discusses the roles and mandate of UNODC in the West African sub-region.Chapter four was used for the comparative assessment of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau.Finally,chapter five outlines the findings of this study,policy recommendations and conclusion.