Accra, June 19, GNA - The provision of an X-ray machine at the Kotoka International Airport, speed boats to patrol the coastline and an intensive and effective training of personnel at the Narcotics Control Board, Navy, Police and other stakeholders could make a positive impact in the campaign against drugs.

Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of the Interior, said this when he met a five-member delegation from the Drug Enforcement Administration from Europe and Africa to develop appropriate linkages to tackle the drug problem that has earned the country a bad name.

He said the X-ray machine would facilitate the detection of internally concealed drugs, speed boats would minimize maritime smuggling of narcotics drugs and the training would help the enforcement agencies to fight against the narcotics trade.

Dr Addo-Kufuor noted that the country regarded the problem of drug trafficking as important, not only in Ghana but other countries in the Gulf region, adding that, collaboration between Ghana and the United States in the fight against illicit drugs had been going on since 2002. He described the support the country had received from the US in the anti-narcotics campaign as modest and expressed the hope that it would be stepped up.

Dr. Addo-Kufuor expressed appreciation to the US for the support the country had received in many sectors of the economy over the years describing the US as a "serious development partner".

Mr Michael Braun, Chief of Operations, US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), said the purpose of their visit was to thank the government for granting them the permit to set up an enforcement office in the country. The Office, which would be established between July and August, would increase DEA's efforts in fighting the drug menace in the West Coast Region since more personnel would be recruited. Mr Russell F. Benson, DEA Regional Director for Europe and Africa, also said the setting up of the Office would expand and further strengthen the cooperation between US and Ghana.

He called for involvement of all countries in the fight against drug trafficking which was "a threat to the whole world".