Bimbilla MP and former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has called on Ghana's security agencies to investigate and arrest all persons connected to the shipment of cocaine seized in France. According to him, the movement of a container through Ghana's ports involves several people, making it necessary for investigators to establish the roles played by each person involved in the shipment. Nitiwul expressed concern about the identities and roles of those involved in transporting and loading the container at the port.
Nitiwul questioned how the container was able to pass through Ghana's ports undetected, asking, "Who are the drivers who drove this container to the port? Who loaded this container unto the place? Who are the people who were involved in the importation of this drug?" He emphasized that the cocaine shipment could not have originated from Ghana, arguing that it was imported from elsewhere before being rerouted through Brussels and Ghana.
The investigation, according to Nitiwul, should go beyond those already arrested and identify everyone who may have been connected to the shipment. "There are a lot more people who are connected to this thing and the security agencies should round up all of them," he added. This call for a thorough investigation comes as President John Dramani Mahama has directed security agencies to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks to harmonize operations at the country's ports.
The President's directive was issued on September 17, during a high-level meeting at the Presidency involving key stakeholders in narcotics control, national security, and the transportation sector. The meeting aimed to address concerns about drug trafficking and revenue leakages at the ports, which have been raised due to fragmented operations, duplication of roles, and gaps in security coordination.
As part of the reforms, the government has announced plans to establish a Joint Taskforce to regulate all operations at the ports. The taskforce will be mandated to streamline inspections, reduce bureaucratic delays, and enforce compliance. This move is expected to improve efficiency and tighten security at the ports.
In a major policy reversal, President Mahama has ordered the restoration of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to the Joint Container Inspection regime at the ports. NACOC was removed from joint inspections in 2018, a decision that has been blamed for weakening the country's ability to intercept narcotic substances and other contraband concealed in containers.
The President has assured that the government will equip and resource all relevant agencies to enable them to perform their statutory roles effectively at the ports. The goal is to ensure smooth, coordinated, and accountable operations at the ports, and to prevent incidents like the recent cocaine shipment seizure in France.
Key points
- Dominic Nitiwul calls for thorough investigation into cocaine shipment seized in France
- President Mahama directs security agencies to submit report on port operations within two weeks
- Government to establish Joint Taskforce to regulate port operations
