The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed disappointment and concern over the Speaker's decision to dismiss their motion to institute an ad hoc probe into the cocaine busts. He stated that this move has weakened Parliament's function and Ghana's democracy. Afenyo-Markin noted that the majority's use of its supermajority, with the Speaker's support, has hindered Parliament's ability to discharge its duties effectively.
The motion, filed by First Deputy Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu, sought to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate a series of high-profile narcotics seizures in Ghana and abroad. The seizures included 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine by French Customs at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026, valued at $261 million, and 320kg of methamphetamine by Australian Border Force on June 18, 2026. The committee would have examined the circumstances surrounding the processing and clearing of these consignments in Ghana.
Speaker Alban Bagbin rejected the motion during Parliament's emergency sitting on September 29, citing that it was inadmissible under various Standing Orders. He dismissed the motion in limine, which means it was not considered on its merits. The Minority had sought to investigate the adequacy of Ghana's security systems at ports, airports, and other entry and exit points, as well as the status of investigations, arrests, and prosecutions connected to the seizures.
Afenyo-Markin criticized the Speaker's decision, stating that it has failed the integrity test required of Parliament to discharge its duty. He expressed concerns that the NDC government is afraid of its own failures and that the ruling by the Speaker has weakened Parliament's oversight capabilities. The Minority Leader emphasized that parliamentary oversight is essential in ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
The proposed inquiry would have also examined the identities and roles of companies, state agencies, and other entities involved in processing and clearing the consignments. Additionally, it would have assessed the extent of cooperation and intelligence sharing between Ghanaian authorities and international law-enforcement agencies. The Minority's motion aimed to shed light on the circumstances surrounding these high-profile narcotics seizures.
The dismissal of the motion has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight in Ghana. The Minority's concerns about the government's handling of the cocaine busts and the need for transparency and accountability have been raised. The issue highlights the challenges faced by Parliament in exercising its oversight functions, particularly when the majority and Speaker are aligned.
The Minority's concerns about the cocaine busts and the Speaker's dismissal of their motion are likely to continue to be debated in Ghana's Parliament. The issue has significant implications for Ghana's democracy and the effectiveness of its parliamentary system.
Key points
- The Speaker's dismissal of the motion has weakened Parliament's function and Ghana's democracy.
- The motion sought to investigate high-profile narcotics seizures in Ghana and abroad, including the seizure of 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine by French Customs.
- The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed concerns that the NDC government is afraid of its own failures.
