Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into concerns over drug trafficking through Ghana's borders. He made the proposal while addressing the NPP National Delegates Conference in Kumasi. Dr. Bawumia expressed concern about Ghana's reputation following reports of drug seizures abroad involving shipments said to have originated from the country.
Dr. Bawumia wants Parliament to establish a committee with the authority to summon witnesses and obtain shipping records to investigate how narcotics shipments allegedly pass through the country undetected. He accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of failing to take sufficiently decisive steps to address the situation, arguing that meetings alone would not produce the answers Ghanaians needed.
The former Vice President argued that investigations should go beyond the arrest of individuals used to transport illegal substances, commonly referred to as couriers. He said authorities must establish the identities of those financing the shipments and determine how the consignments manage to pass through Ghana's borders. Dr. Bawumia stressed that arresting couriers is not enough.
Dr. Bawumia added that the issue required urgent attention, citing concerns raised by religious organisations, civil society groups and other members of the public about the potential damage to Ghana's international reputation. He said the proposed parliamentary committee should conduct its proceedings publicly to ensure accountability and establish the facts surrounding the reported drug trafficking cases.
The NPP National Delegates Conference in Kumasi saw Dr. Bawumia expressing his concerns about Ghana's reputation. He stated that the country's name is being dragged through the ports of Europe, and the government has answered with meetings, not results. Dr. Bawumia's call for a parliamentary probe comes after reports of drug seizures abroad involving shipments said to have originated from Ghana.
According to Dr. Bawumia, Ghanaians want to know who is financing these shipments and how they keep getting through. He stressed that the parliamentary committee should have the authority to summon witnesses and obtain shipping records. This, he believes, will help uncover the truth behind the reported drug trafficking cases.
The proposed parliamentary investigation has been necessitated by the increasing concerns over drug trafficking through Ghana's borders. Dr. Bawumia's call for action comes as the country's reputation is at stake. The issue has sparked concerns among Ghanaians, with many calling for decisive action to address the situation.
Key points
- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia calls for a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into drug trafficking concerns.
- The proposed parliamentary committee should conduct its proceedings publicly to ensure accountability.
- Dr. Bawumia accuses the governing NDC of failing to take sufficiently decisive steps to address the situation.
