Private legal practitioner and public affairs commentator Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers has expressed concerns that creating a specialised High Court to handle drug-related cases may not address the root causes of Ghana's drug trafficking problem. In an interview on TV3's Big Issues on September 22, 2026, Mr Brako-Powers argued that the country's anti-narcotics response must be strengthened across the entire chain. He emphasised that the problem begins long before a case reaches the courtroom.
According to Mr Brako-Powers, Ghana's drug trafficking problem is a supply chain issue, not a courtroom problem. He stressed that illicit drugs enter the country through ports and other export channels, highlighting the need to address these entry points. The creation of a specialised court, he argued, may not be effective if weaknesses remain in intelligence gathering, border security, detection, and prosecution.
Mr Brako-Powers' comments come amid heightened concern over a recent seizure of a large consignment of cocaine in France, which originated from Ghana. The case has raised questions about Ghana's systems for detecting and preventing the movement of narcotics through its ports and other export channels. The issue has sparked a national conversation about the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing drug trafficking.
To effectively address the problem, Mr Brako-Powers called for a holistic approach that includes strengthening intelligence gathering, detection, investigation, financial investigations, prosecution, specialised adjudication, and asset recovery. He also emphasised the need to identify and hold accountable the wider networks, systems, and officials that facilitate the movement of narcotics.
Mr Brako-Powers questioned the effectiveness of creating a specialised court if the underlying issues are not addressed. He argued that investigations should go beyond the prosecution of individuals and focus on dismantling the networks and systems that enable drug trafficking. This, he believes, will require a concerted effort from law enforcement agencies, border security, and other stakeholders.
The issue has sparked a national conversation about the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing drug trafficking in Ghana. While a specialised court may form part of the solution, Mr Brako-Powers emphasised that it should not be treated as the sole solution to a problem that begins with intelligence, interdiction, and enforcement.
A comprehensive approach to addressing drug trafficking in Ghana requires fixing the entire anti-narcotics chain.
Key points
- A holistic approach is needed to address Ghana's drug trafficking problem.
- Strengthening intelligence gathering and border security is crucial.
- Accountability at all levels of the system is necessary.
