Mr. Kobby Acheampong, Deputy Minister of Interior, has called on the staff of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) to work hard and discharge their duty with integrity.

He said this at Assin Fosu on Friday, during the graduation ceremony of 136 staff at the Ghana Immigration Training School in the Central Region.

The staff, comprising 88 recruits and 48 cadets, had to undergo six weeks training in basic investigative skills, intelligence gathering skills, Drug Enforcement skills, basic police practice including weapon handling.

Mr. Acheampong said the use of narcotic drugs in the country has increased and this has negatively affected the nation due to its associated evils of criminal activities such as high way robbery.

He said the use of narcotic drugs is also a global menace that has affected every society, adding that these activities continue to pose a threat to the health and welfare of human beings.

Mr. Acheampong said NACOB was established in 1991 as the National focal agency tasked to fight against illicit drug trafficking and that government have given the authorization for the recruitment of additional personnel to the sector.

Mr. Yaw Akrasi Sarpong, Executive Secretary of NARCOB, commended government for supporting the training of the new staff and urged the trainees to be of good conduct and execute their duty effectively and make the country secure in health in ensuring peace and stability.

He cautioned the trainees to be careful in discharging their duties since they will be targeted by the drug peddlers, and anybody caught compromising its duty would be made to face the law without fear or favour.

Dr Peter Wiredu, Director of Ghana Immigration Service, said as part of the training, the trainees are sent on a study tour to the Kotoka International Airport, Aviance Cargo Village, Tema Sea Port and the Psychiatric Hospital to acquaint themselves with the work on the field.