Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Director of Communications aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has challenged the government to explain how large quantities of cocaine were able to pass through Ghana’s ports without detection. He emphasized that the issue should be treated as a national security concern rather than reduced to a political blame game. Aboagye’s comments follow recent drug seizures linked to Ghana, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of security checks at the country’s ports and airports.
The issue arose after the reported seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk in France in September 2026. The drugs, estimated to be worth €225 million, were concealed in a container carrying plastic waste shipped from Ghana. The Narcotics Control Commission subsequently announced the arrest of three people in connection with the consignment. This incident follows the seizure of 866 parcels of substances suspected to be cocaine at a warehouse within the Tema Harbour enclave on August 5, 2026.
According to Aboagye, there have been twelve major drug busts in 18 months under the current government. He questioned how anybody moved such a large quantity of cocaine, equivalent to about 80 bags of cement in a container, through the port without being detected. Aboagye noted that several major consignments were intercepted outside Ghana after passing through the country’s ports. This raises concerns about the security and monitoring of Ghana’s ports.
Aboagye warned that Ghana’s reputation and the treatment of Ghanaian travellers could be affected if the country is increasingly associated with international drug trafficking. He stated that if the matter is not addressed, Ghanaian passport holders may face longer wait times and scrutiny at international airports. The Director of Communications aspirant urged the government to provide answers instead of pointing to similar incidents under previous administrations.
The government has faced criticism for its handling of the issue, with some calling for a united fight against drug trafficking. The Catholic Bishops Conference has expressed concern that the drug cases are disgracing Ghana before the world. The NPP has called for a parliamentary inquiry into cocaine trafficking concerns. Aboagye’s comments add to the growing pressure on the government to address the issue.
The seizure of 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine in France has been described as a national embarrassment to Ghana. Some have called for the arrest of everyone involved in the handling chain of the cocaine-linked container. The incident has raised questions about the capacity of Ghanaian authorities to effectively monitor the country’s ports. The government faces a growing challenge to address the issue and restore public confidence.
The issue has sparked a renewed debate about the need for improved security measures at Ghana’s ports and airports. The government must balance the need for effective security checks with the need to facilitate trade and commerce. As the investigation into the cocaine seizure continues, the government faces pressure to provide answers and take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The government must explain how large quantities of cocaine passed through Ghana’s ports without detection.
- The issue should be treated as a national security concern rather than reduced to a political blame game.
- Ghana’s reputation and the treatment of Ghanaian travellers may be affected if the country is increasingly associated with international drug trafficking.
