The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Ghana's Parliament has called for an Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee to investigate a series of major international narcotics seizures allegedly linked to consignments originating from Ghana. This proposed inquiry aims to identify potential weaknesses in the country's cargo inspection, export control, and narcotics enforcement systems. The Minority Caucus cited several recent cases of significant narcotics seizures linked to Ghanaian exports.
Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member on Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee, addressed journalists about the need for a parliamentary investigation. He mentioned three major cases, including the interception of over 3.3 tonnes of cocaine at Pedu Junction near Cape Coast in March 2025, valued at over $350 million. This seizure was allegedly concealed under sand in a tipper truck.
Rev. Fordjour also referenced other significant seizures, such as the approximately 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine seized by Australian authorities in June 2026. The methamphetamine was concealed in containers declared as charcoal and traced to Ghana, with an estimated street value of A$296 million. Furthermore, French customs authorities at Dunkirk intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine hidden among recycled plastic in a container reportedly shipped from Ghana.
The Minority Caucus proposed that the parliamentary committee investigate the processes through which the consignments were assembled, inspected, and cleared for export. They also suggested assessing the roles of relevant state institutions and private-sector actors in these incidents. The inquiry should examine efforts to identify the organisers and financiers of such operations and determine whether proceeds from illicit narcotics activities were being effectively traced.
The proposed investigation will focus on institutional and systemic issues and should not interfere with matters currently before the courts. The Minority Caucus also called on the government to provide comprehensive and verifiable data on narcotics seizures, arrests, and prosecutions undertaken since January 2025. This data would enable Parliament and the public to better assess trends in narcotics-related offences.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has summoned the House to reconvene from recess for a one-day Sitting on September 29, 2026. This recall follows a petition by the Minority Caucus requesting the Speaker to address urgent national security concerns arising from recent narcotics seizures linked to consignments from Ghana.
The recall is in accordance with Article 112(3) of the Constitution, which empowers the Speaker to summon Parliament before its next scheduled Sitting when circumstances require. The Minority Caucus is seeking broad parliamentary support for the initiative, stressing that efforts to combat drug trafficking are a national responsibility that transcends partisan considerations.
Key points
- The Minority Caucus in Ghana's Parliament seeks to establish an Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee to investigate recent international narcotics seizures linked to Ghanaian consignments.
- Three major cases of narcotics seizures linked to Ghanaian exports have been cited, including significant interceptions in Australia and France.
- The proposed investigation will focus on institutional and systemic issues related to cargo inspection, export control, and narcotics enforcement systems.
