The Narcotics Control Commission of Ghana has conducted preliminary background checks on suspects in custody over the €225 million cocaine seizure in France. According to Deputy Director-General Alexander Twum-Barimah, no evidence suggests that any of the suspects served as a close protection officer for President John Dramani Mahama or Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. This statement contradicts claims made by New Tafo Member of Parliament, Vincent Ekow Assafuah.
Mr. Assafuah had claimed on Facebook that one of the suspects, Musah Atta, was allegedly part of the security detail of both the President and Vice President. He questioned how an individual allegedly attached to the presidential security detail could become linked to a cocaine trafficking case of such magnitude. The MP's claims sparked concerns about potential security breaches and the need for clarity on the matter.
Deputy Director-General Twum-Barimah appeared on TV3's Hot Issues, stating that NACOC had not found evidence supporting Mr. Assafuah's claim. He emphasized that the Commission had checked the backgrounds of all suspects in custody and found no indication of any serving as a presidential escort. Mr. Twum-Barimah stressed that if there were any presidential bodyguards involved, they would need to come forward and explain their job description.
The NACOC Deputy Director-General also disputed the suggestion that one officer could simultaneously serve as a close escort to both the President and Vice President. Drawing on his own training as a protection escort in South Africa, he explained that security arrangements for the two principals are structured separately, with each requiring sufficient personnel to manage their respective protection duties.
According to Mr. Twum-Barimah, a close escort would be assigned to one security wing and would not simultaneously perform the same role for both principals. He added that if there were any further details about the alleged security role, it could assist the ongoing investigations. However, without such information, the Commission could not confirm Mr. Assafuah's allegations.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of major cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, including the seizure by French customs authorities of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine from a container shipped from the country. The incident has raised concerns about Ghana's involvement in international cocaine trafficking and the need for effective measures to combat the menace.
The NACOC's statement has helped to clarify the situation, but concerns about security breaches and potential collusion remain. The Commission's investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case unfolds. The incident has highlighted the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat international crime.
Key points
- No suspect in custody over €225M French cocaine seizure is a presidential escort, according to Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission.
- Deputy Director-General Alexander Twum-Barimah disputes claims that one officer could simultaneously serve as a close escort to both the President and Vice President.
- The incident has raised concerns about Ghana's involvement in international cocaine trafficking and the need for effective measures to combat the menace.
