Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region leads in Indian hemp smoking and peddling in the country, the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) said on Wednesday.

According to the Board, the illegal drug was also highly cultivated in Brong-Ahafo and Volta Regions.

Mr Felix Sarfo, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Head of the NACOB, who disclosed this, said radical intervention was required to bring the situation under control.

He was interacting with staff of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) when he and other officers of the Board paid a courtesy call at the Brong-Ahafo Regional Office of the Agency in Sunyani.

Mr Sarfo said smoking and peddling of the drug were done at open places, and called for intensive enforcement exercises to control the situation.

He said his office intended to establish additional offices in the Region at places like Goaso, Wenchi, Dormaa-Ahenkro, NKoranza and Wenchi.

These towns, he said were noted for the cultivation of the herb.

Mr Sarfo said there was the need for the Board to collaborate as well as step up measures in ensuring that perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted.

Aside this, Mr Sarfo said drug free youth clubs would be established in selected Senior High and Junior High Schools as well as some communities in the Region, while volunteers would also be trained to carry out extensive public education on the effects of drug abuse.

Mr Kofi Boateng, the Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Head of the NACOB, said that the devastating effect of drug abuse on the nation was enormous.

He said a collective approach was needed to control the menace, saying the effect of the drug was not only on the users as everybody was at risk.

Nana Osei Kyeretwie, the acting Brong-Ahafo Regional Manager of the GNA, thanked the Board for the visit and assured them of the Agency’s readiness to support the NCB in the cause of its duties.