The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has made allegations that drug traffickers have set up laboratories in Ghana to process illicit drugs, including cocaine, for export. According to the party's National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana B, these operations are taking place under the watch of President Mahama. Nana B claims that the intelligence gathered by the party suggests that the government is not taking adequate measures to curb these activities.
Nana B made these allegations at a press conference, highlighting the NPP's concerns about the government's handling of the situation. He claimed that the processing of illicit drugs is happening in clandestine laboratories in Ghana, and that government officials are facilitating the transit of these drugs outside of the country. According to Nana B, this explains why large volumes of drugs continue to surface in shipments and in the luggage of passengers from Ghana.
The NPP's allegations come weeks after French customs seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, worth an estimated €225 million (about US$261 million), at the port of Dunkirk on September 10. The shipment, concealed in a container of plastic waste exported from Ghana, was partly destined for Antwerp, Belgium, and has been linked to the network of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos." Several suspects have been arrested and arraigned by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in connection with the case.
Nana B's allegations have raised concerns about the government's ability to tackle the issue of drug trafficking in Ghana. The NPP claims that the government is not doing enough to prevent the processing and export of illicit drugs from the country. According to Nana B, the intelligence gathered by the party suggests that the government is aware of the situation but is not taking adequate measures to address it.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has been working to curb the trafficking of illicit drugs in Ghana. In connection with the Dunkirk seizure, several suspects have been arrested and arraigned. However, the NPP claims that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem. According to Nana B, the government needs to take a more proactive approach to preventing the processing and export of illicit drugs from Ghana.
The NPP's allegations have also raised questions about the impact of drug trafficking on Ghana's international reputation. The country's ports and airports have been used as transit points for illicit drugs in the past, and the NPP's allegations suggest that this problem persists. According to Nana B, the government needs to take urgent action to address the issue and prevent Ghana from being seen as a hub for drug trafficking.
The government has yet to respond to the NPP's allegations. However, the issue of drug trafficking is likely to remain a major concern for Ghana in the coming months. With the country's ports and airports being used as transit points for illicit drugs, the government will need to take a proactive approach to addressing the problem. The NPP's allegations have highlighted the need for urgent action to prevent Ghana from being seen as a hub for drug trafficking.
Key points
- The NPP alleges that government officials are facilitating the transit of drugs processed in Ghana.
- French customs seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the port of Dunkirk on September 10.
- The NPP claims that the government is not doing enough to prevent the processing and export of illicit drugs from Ghana.
