On September 29, 2026, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin rejected a Minority motion filed by First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu on September 28. The motion sought to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate how major narcotics shipments were processed, inspected, cleared, and exported from Ghana. Bagbin cited concerns that the proposed inquiry could prejudice ongoing court proceedings.
The proposed inquiry aimed to examine several high-profile seizures, including 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine intercepted by French Customs at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026. It also cited the seizure of 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine by the Australian Border Force in June 2026, as well as earlier cocaine interceptions at Takoradi and Pedu in Cape Coast. These seizures have raised concerns about Ghana's role in the narcotics trade.
According to Bagbin, the issues the proposed committee intended to investigate substantially overlapped with matters currently before the courts. He explained that the inquiry could involve the examination of evidence, witnesses, and the conduct of individuals whose actions or responsibilities might be relevant to the ongoing judicial proceedings. This overlap with court proceedings was a key factor in Bagbin's decision.
Bagbin cautioned that the parliamentary inquiry could lead Parliament to make determinations on matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the courts. He stated that the committee would have to examine how the narcotics consignments were handled and assess the actions or omissions of various actors at the country's ports of entry. This could potentially influence the outcome of pending court cases.
The Speaker argued that allowing the motion to proceed in its current form could affect the interests of parties involved in the pending cases. He ruled that permitting the motion to proceed at this time may prejudice the interests of parties to pending judicial proceedings. As a result, Bagbin ruled the motion inadmissible under Parliament's Standing Orders.
In his ruling, Bagbin referenced Standing Orders 5, 6, and 103, Sub-Rule F, which govern the admissibility of motions in Parliament. He consequently declared the private member's motion inadmissible. The Minority had sought a bipartisan investigation into the narcotics consignments, but Bagbin's ruling has put the matter on hold.
The rejection of the motion has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, with some expressing concerns about the implications for Ghana's fight against narcotics trafficking. The Minority has vowed to pursue the narcotics probe despite Bagbin's rejection of the motion. The issue is likely to continue to be a topic of debate in Ghanaian politics.
Key points
- The Speaker of Parliament cited concerns that the proposed inquiry could prejudice ongoing court proceedings.
- The motion sought to investigate major narcotics shipments processed, inspected, cleared, and exported from Ghana.
- The rejection of the motion has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, with the Minority vowing to pursue the narcotics probe.
