The Speaker of Ghana's Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has dismissed a motion filed by the Minority to investigate recent high-profile cocaine seizures. The motion, filed by First Deputy Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu, sought to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the seizures. The committee would have investigated the processing and clearing of consignments in Ghana, including ports of departure and customs procedures applied. The motion cited several incidents, including the seizure of 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine by French Customs at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticized the dismissal of the motion, saying it has failed the integrity test required of Parliament to discharge its duty. He stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration is afraid of its own failures. Afenyo-Markin described the decision as sad for Ghana's democracy and parliamentary oversight. The majority had used its supermajority, with the support of the Speaker, to weaken Parliament.
The motion sought to investigate several incidents, including the seizure of 320kg of methamphetamine by Australian Border Force on June 18, 2026, and cocaine interceptions in Takoradi and Pedu in Cape Coast in March 2025. The proposed committee would have examined the adequacy of Ghana's security systems at its ports, airports, and other entry and exit points. The Minority also sought to assess the extent of cooperation and intelligence sharing between Ghanaian authorities and international law-enforcement agencies.
The Speaker's dismissal of the motion was based on the grounds that it was inadmissible under Standing Orders 5, 6, 103, Rule F, Order 192, and Order 233. Afenyo-Markin expressed disappointment with the decision, saying it has weakened the function of Parliament. The Minority had called for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the seizures, which had a significant impact on Ghana's international reputation.
The cocaine seizures cited in the motion had significant financial implications, with the 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine seized by French Customs valued at $261 million. The incidents have raised concerns about the security of Ghana's ports and the effectiveness of its customs procedures. The Minority had sought to establish the identities and roles of companies, state agencies, and other entities involved in processing and clearing the consignments.
Afenyo-Markin made the remarks at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, September 29. He emphasized that the decision to dismiss the motion has failed the integrity test required of Parliament. The Minority Leader called for Parliament to take its oversight role seriously and ensure that the executive is held accountable.
The dismissal of the motion has sparked concerns about the ability of Parliament to hold the executive accountable. The incident has also raised questions about the commitment of the government to transparency and accountability. The Minority has vowed to continue pushing for accountability and transparency in the investigation of the cocaine seizures.
Key points
- The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, dismissed a motion to investigate recent high-profile cocaine seizures.
- The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, criticized the decision, saying it has failed the integrity test required of Parliament.
- The motion sought to investigate several incidents, including the seizure of 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine by French Customs at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
