The Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns about weaknesses in Ghana's security systems, warning that they could expose the country to becoming a major transit point for narcotics. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Minority's spokesperson on Defence and Interior, raised these concerns ahead of Parliament's emergency sitting on September 29 to discuss recent major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana. The seizures include nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at France's Port of Dunkirk in a container reportedly shipped from Ghana.
Rev. Fordjour said the development raised serious questions about the effectiveness of Ghana's border controls and the response of state institutions responsible for preventing drug trafficking. He demanded the publication of full, verifiable data on narcotics seizures, arrests, and prosecutions recorded in the country since January 2025. The Minority spokesperson emphasized the need for real-time publication of this data to assess the country's record in combating narcotics trafficking.
The Minority's concerns follow the seizure of a large quantity of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk. The parliamentary inquiry will examine institutional and systemic weaknesses, including the possible involvement or complicity of state agencies. Rev. Fordjour stated that the inquiry should investigate the role and actions of possible complicity of state agencies without prejudging cases before the courts.
Rev. Fordjour emphasized that Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to demand accountability from the Executive rather than leaving the matter solely to investigations initiated by government agencies. He maintained that Parliament is not a spectator in this matter and has the power to appoint committees, summon witnesses, and demand answers.
The Minority also called on members of both sides of the House to support efforts to establish the facts, arguing that drug trafficking and substance abuse should not be treated as partisan issues. Rev. Fordjour urged the government to make the requested information accessible to the public, arguing that transparency would help Ghanaians assess the country's record in combating narcotics trafficking.
The Minority's call for a bipartisan probe into narcotics consignments linked to Ghana was supported by a motion filed by the Minority. The motion aims to establish a committee with the authority to summon witnesses, compel the production of documents, and conduct its proceedings publicly, except where national security considerations require otherwise.
The issue has sparked widespread concern, with many Ghanaians calling for action to address the country's growing problem with narcotics trafficking. The government's response to the Minority's demands and the outcome of the parliamentary inquiry will be closely watched.
Key points
- The Minority in Parliament demands the publication of full, verifiable data on narcotics seizures, arrests, and prosecutions recorded in Ghana since January 2025.
- A bipartisan probe into narcotics consignments linked to Ghana has been proposed to investigate institutional and systemic weaknesses.
- The issue has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana's border controls and the response of state institutions responsible for preventing drug trafficking.
