Drugs are increasingly being shipped from Latin America to Europe via West Africa. This trade threatens to destabilize West Africa by undermining efforts to promote good governance and tackle corruption. In Europe it fuels crime, destroys families and ruins young lives.

The UK works with Ghana and international partners to combat the trade in illegal drugs, mostly cocaine. It has sponsored a campaign to persuade potential smugglers that the risks of carrying drugs to Europe do not justify the rewards: they will be caught and prosecuted.

The UK also equips Ghanaian customs officers to better detect smuggled drugs. For two years a team of British customs officers have trained and mentored their Ghanaian counterparts at Accra’s airport, giving them the skills they need to do their jobs more effectively. “It’s hard work, and results take time”, said one of the officers, but our Ghanaian colleagues are making good progress, and we enjoy Ghanaian humour”. To help the customs officers make the most of their training, the UK has also given Ghana equipment to help the customs officers detect drugs and secure evidence.

The UK training has had some success. But the drugs war is far from won, and we recognize that we can only succeed with continued strong UK-Ghanaian and international cooperation.