Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has expressed concerns over the prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with major drug seizures in Ghana. He cited the recent 3.3-tonne cocaine consignment intercepted at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in March 2025, valued at over $350 million. The consignment was concealed beneath sand in a tipper truck travelling from Takoradi to Accra.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour argued that investigations into such seizures should lead to the identification and prosecution of the alleged masterminds behind the consignments. He questioned the prosecution of only the truck driver and his mate, stating that they could not reasonably be considered the financiers or organisers of consignments worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He described this approach as embarrassing and hypocritical.
The lawmaker pointed to the Ghana-Australia methamphetamine case as an example of a more direct approach to pursuing suspected organisers. In June 2026, Australian authorities announced charges against three people following the interception of about 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine in a shipment from Ghana. This led to a three-month investigation by NACOC, which resulted in the arrest of a Ghanaian woman identified as the lead shipper.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour made these comments on Accra-based JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, September 22. He emphasized that high-profile busts must go with high-profile prosecution, suggesting that the current approach does not address the wider networks behind the drug trade. This, he believes, undermines efforts to effectively combat the problem.
The 3.3-tonne cocaine consignment was a significant seizure, and its value highlights the scale of the problem. The fact that the consignment was concealed beneath sand in a tipper truck shows the sophisticated methods used by traffickers to evade detection. Rev. Ntim Fordjour's comments have sparked a renewed debate on the effectiveness of Ghana's approach to combating drug trafficking.
The former Deputy Minister for Education also raised concerns about the resources allocated to investigating and prosecuting drug-related crimes. He implied that more resources should be devoted to identifying and prosecuting the masterminds behind these consignments, rather than just the low-level operatives. This, he believes, would have a greater impact on disrupting the drug trade.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour's call for high-profile prosecution of suspects in major drug seizures is a timely reminder of the need for effective action against drug trafficking in Ghana. The issue remains a significant challenge for the country, and a more effective approach is needed to address the problem.
Key points
- Rev. Ntim Fordjour questions prosecution of suspects in major drug seizures in Ghana.
- The lawmaker cites the 3.3-tonne cocaine consignment intercepted at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in March 2025.
- Rev. Ntim Fordjour calls for high-profile prosecution of suspects, rather than just low-level operatives.
