The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has stated that the government should not consider calls for a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into the recent cocaine seizures as an attack on the administration. According to him, the scale of the seizures raises concerns that transcend partisan politics, requiring a national response. Mr. Awuku made these comments in an interview with JoyNews' Kwaku Asante.
The recent seizures in question involve nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine that was seized by French authorities at the Port of Dunkirk. The cocaine was from a container that had departed Ghana. In response, the Minority in Parliament has filed a motion seeking a parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shipment and other drug seizures. However, the Majority in Parliament argues that a parliamentary investigation is unnecessary at this stage.
The Majority Leader, James Agalga, noted that several arrests have already been made in connection with the case, with some suspects arraigned before court and remanded. He questioned the need for Parliament to launch a separate investigation while security agencies are actively pursuing the matter. In contrast, Mr. Awuku emphasized that the issue should be treated as a national crisis requiring cooperation between the two sides of Parliament.
Mr. Awuku stressed that the issue goes beyond partisan politics, touching on the nation's core, international reputation, and other related concerns. He pointed out that the large quantity of cocaine seized suggests a broader cartel involvement, rather than just the actions of a driver and a mate. As such, he urged the government to support efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the seizures.
The Minority's proposed inquiry aims to examine how major narcotics consignments linked to Ghana were processed, inspected, cleared, and exported, including the role of relevant state institutions. Parliament was recalled from recess by Speaker Alban Bagbin for an extraordinary sitting on September 29, following a petition led by First Deputy Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu.
The Akuapem North MP encouraged the government to view the proposed parliamentary inquiry as a necessary step to address a national crisis, rather than as an attack. He believes that a bipartisan approach is essential to solving the matter. The issue has sparked concerns about Ghana's international reputation and the effectiveness of its institutions in preventing such large-scale narcotics trafficking.
The case has also raised questions about the involvement of various parties in the narcotics trade and the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. The government's response to the proposed inquiry will be crucial in determining how the issue is handled. Key points include the need for a bipartisan approach, concerns about Ghana's international reputation, and the effectiveness of state institutions in preventing narcotics trafficking.
Key points
- The Akuapem North MP, Samuel Awuku, has called for a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into the recent 3.9-tonne cocaine seizures.
- The Majority in Parliament argues that a parliamentary investigation is unnecessary at this stage, as security agencies are actively pursuing the matter.
- The Minority's proposed inquiry seeks to examine how major narcotics consignments linked to Ghana were processed, inspected, cleared, and exported.
