Former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has called for a thorough parliamentary inquiry into the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French authorities. The seizure, made at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026, involved a container reportedly shipped from Ghana. Jinapor, also the Ranking Member of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed concerns about how such a large consignment was able to pass through Ghana undetected.
The French authorities' discovery has raised serious questions about Ghana's port surveillance and narcotics-control systems. Jinapor argued that the proposed inquiry would not determine the guilt or innocence of persons before the courts but would instead examine broader institutional and security questions. He cited the need to establish how the containers were processed, scanned, and cleared.
On September 29, 2026, Parliament's emergency sitting presented an opportunity to examine the circumstances surrounding the shipment. However, the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, dismissed the Minority's motion seeking an ad hoc committee, ruling it inadmissible under the Standing Orders. The ruling was due to the overlap with matters before the courts and investigative bodies.
Jinapor emphasized that Ghanaians deserve answers to the circumstances surrounding the shipment. He asked, "How did nearly four tonnes of cocaine … pass through our port and leave this country undetected?" The issue has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana's security measures at its ports.
The seizure has also raised questions about the potential involvement of Ghanaian institutions in the smuggling of narcotics. Jinapor's call for an investigation is supported by the need for transparency and accountability in the country's ports. The incident has highlighted the need for improved surveillance and control measures.
The Minority's motion for an ad hoc committee was dismissed, but Jinapor remains committed to seeking answers. He believes that a parliamentary inquiry would help to establish the facts surrounding the shipment and identify areas for improvement in Ghana's port security.
The incident has sparked a national conversation about the need for improved security measures at Ghana's ports. The government has yet to respond to Jinapor's call for an investigation, but the issue is likely to remain a topic of discussion in the coming days.
Key points
- Samuel Jinapor calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the 3.9 tonnes cocaine seizure.
- The seizure raises questions about Ghana's port surveillance and narcotics-control systems.
- The incident has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana's security measures at its ports.
