The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has responded to the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) call for the dismissal of heads of Ghana's drug interdiction chain, citing the NPP's own record in managing narcotics cases. Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko Computer, stated that the NPP lacks moral authority to make such demands. He made these comments on TV3's Ghana Tonight on September 22, 2026.
Tanko Computer pointed to historical narcotics cases under the NPP's tenure, including the case of former NPP MP for Nkoranza North, Eric Amoateng, who was busted with drugs while in office. He also recalled the MV Benjamin cocaine saga and the incident of cocaine exhibits at the police headquarters turning into kokonte under the NPP administration. These incidents, he claimed, demonstrate the NPP's lack of moral authority.
The NPP had called for the dismissal of about nine officials over recent drug interceptions, including a truck carrying 175 slabs of suspected narcotics from Kpandai to Accra, the seizure of 192 wraps of suspected cocaine at Wa, and 866 parcels intercepted at Tema Port concealed in sacks of gari. Tanko Computer questioned why the NPP were mute at the time a sitting MP was arrested with cocaine.
Tanko Computer also cited the MV Benjamin cocaine saga, which involved a huge consignment of cocaine that was busted under the NPP regime. He claimed that the NPP formed a committee to investigate it, led by the then Chief Justice, but the cocaine turned out to be 'kokonte' (cassava flour) in police headquarters. This, he said, was unprecedented in Ghana's history.
The NDC official accused the NPP of hypocrisy, stating that they should be ignored completely. He argued that the NPP's own record in managing narcotics cases is worse than that of the current administration. Tanko Computer's comments were in response to NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye's accusations against President John Dramani Mahama.
Boakye had accused President Mahama of weak leadership and demanded the dismissal of officials over recent drug interceptions. Tanko Computer rejected these demands, stating that the NPP has no moral authority to make them. The exchange between the two parties highlights the ongoing debate over narcotics management in Ghana.
The recent drug interceptions have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana's drug interdiction efforts. The NDC and NPP have been trading accusations over the issue, with the NDC accusing the NPP of hypocrisy and the NPP demanding action against officials. The debate is likely to continue in the coming days.
Key points
- The NDC has accused the NPP of lacking moral authority to demand dismissals over drug seizures.
- The NPP has called for the dismissal of about nine officials over recent drug interceptions.
- The debate highlights the ongoing concerns about narcotics management in Ghana.
