Ghana's Catholic bishops have expressed concern over the country's growing drug trade, warning that it poses a significant threat to public institutions and national stability. In a statement released on September 21, the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference (GCBC) emphasized that the financial rewards associated with narcotics trafficking have created a moral and national crisis. The bishops cited the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at Dunkirk, which had an estimated street value of $305 million.
The GCBC highlighted that four Ghanaians have been arraigned before Ghana's High Court in connection with the Dunkirk seizure and are facing charges of conspiracy to export narcotic drugs without a licence and exportation of narcotic drugs. The accused individuals are Desmond Koranteng Curiel, Musah Attah, Kweku Otoocho, and Jessica Hartog. A Dutch national, Jos Leijdekkers, is reportedly at large. The bishops stressed that the accused remain presumed innocent and called for investigations to establish how the large consignment passed through legitimate commercial channels.
The GCBC also cited a reported arrest in March 2026 of nine public officers over a large consignment of undeclared tramadol at Tema Port. The officers included personnel from various institutions, such as Customs, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Port Security, the Energy Commission, and the Ghana Standards Authority. The conference emphasized that such cases underscore the need to examine not only those who physically transport drugs but also individuals and institutions that facilitate or protect trafficking networks.
The bishops criticized delays in identifying the financiers and principal traffickers behind some major seizures, stating that a pattern in which couriers are prosecuted while the networks that finance them escape scrutiny is a failure that any credible national response must overcome. The GCBC urged authorities to trace the financial networks behind the drug trade, including businesses and other arrangements that could facilitate trafficking. They also called for stronger cooperation with INTERPOL and Europol to investigate transnational networks and locate wanted suspects.
The GCBC expressed support for a parliamentary move to examine Ghana's systems for detecting and preventing narcotics trafficking through ports, airports, and borders. More than 40 MPs have petitioned Parliament for a recall from recess to discuss the issue. The proposed parliamentary scrutiny would involve ministers responsible for the Interior, Transport, and National Security, as well as various institutions such as NACOC and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
According to NACOC figures cited by the bishops, intelligence-led operations have resulted in 217 arrests and 165 prosecutions, with over 8.5 tonnes of assorted narcotics and 45.4 million tramadol tablets intercepted during the period under review. The GCBC emphasized that the response to the drug crisis must extend beyond enforcement to prevention, rehabilitation, and education. They called on the government to strengthen coordination between various institutions and urged Catholic parishes, schools, and youth organizations to intensify drug-prevention programs.
The GCBC concluded that the response to the drug crisis must be firm, lawful, preventive, rehabilitative, and rooted in respect for human dignity. The bishops' statement highlights the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing the growing drug trade in Ghana. The issue remains a significant challenge for the country, with the Catholic bishops' conference playing a crucial role in raising awareness and advocating for action.
Key points
- The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference warns that the country's growing drug trade is corroding public institutions and creating opportunities for corruption.
- The bishops call for urgent and coordinated national action against trafficking networks and for investigations to establish how large consignments of narcotics pass through legitimate commercial channels.
- The GCBC urges authorities to trace the financial networks behind the drug trade and for stronger cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to investigate transnational networks.
