The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the Mahama government of condoning cocaine and illicit drug activities in Ghana. According to the NPP, the President has not demonstrated strong leadership in addressing the issue. The party's Second National Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye, made the allegations at a press conference in Accra. He expressed concern over the recurring interception of cocaine and other narcotic substances originating from Ghana.
Nana Boakye stated that the recent cocaine seizure in Beirut, Lebanon, which originated from Ghana, is a significant threat to the country's national security and international reputation. He noted that between March 2025 and October 2026, Ghana recorded 14 major drug busts, with cocaine seized abroad valued at approximately $1.7 billion. The seizures occurred in various countries, including Amsterdam, Antwerp, Dunkirk, and Beirut.
The NPP Second National Vice Chairman observed that the recurring interception of cocaine abroad traced to Ghana is no longer just a law enforcement problem but a national image crisis. He listed several instances of seizures, including 4.5 tons of wood from Ghana seized at Amsterdam in June 2025, 2.8 tons in cassava flour from Tema seized at Antwerp in November 2025, and 3.9 tons in plastic waste seized at Dunkirk in September 2026.
Nana Boakye also highlighted the impact of the drug trade on ordinary Ghanaians, including honest travelers and exporters who face extra suspicion at foreign airports and ports. He expressed concern that despite the severity of the issue, no heads have rolled, and appointees remain in their positions untouched. The NPP is calling for immediate action to address the problem.
Nana Boakye revealed that after the Dunkirk seizure, the President chaired an emergency security meeting on September 17, 2026, and gave an inter-agency task force two weeks to deliver a roadmap. However, five weeks later, Ghanaians have still not seen the roadmap. The NPP is demanding the immediate sacking of heads of key institutions, including the Narcotics Control Commission and Ghana Airports Company.
The NPP is also calling for a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry with public hearings and the publication of the missing roadmap within seven days. Additionally, the party is requesting the publication of all diplomatic and service passports issued since January 2025 and the suspension of the Tema-Cartagena direct shipping link until a security review is laid before Parliament.
The NPP's allegations have significant implications for the government's efforts to combat the drug trade. The party's demands for action and accountability are likely to increase pressure on the government to take concrete steps to address the issue. The government's response to the NPP's allegations remains to be seen.
Key points
- The NPP has accused the government of condoning cocaine and illicit drug activities in Ghana.
- The party is demanding the immediate sacking of heads of key institutions and a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry.
- The NPP is calling for the publication of the missing roadmap and increased security measures to combat the drug trade.
