The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana is demanding the removal of key officials from several state institutions over their handling of recent narcotics cases. At a press conference on September 22, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye called for the heads of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Ghana Shippers’ Authority, and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to be removed from office. He also wants the Commissioner-General of the Customs Division and the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to be replaced.
According to Mr Boakye, the institutions have failed to adequately perform their duties, leading to a significant rise in narcotics trafficking in the country. He cited 12 narcotics-related cases recorded between 2025 and September 2026, with an estimated street value of over US$1 billion. The NPP is calling for a bipartisan parliamentary committee to investigate these cases and hold officials accountable for their failure to prevent and detect drug trafficking.
The NPP's demands follow growing concerns over Ghana's role as a transit point for narcotics trafficking. Recently, French authorities seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine from a container that originated from Ghana. Four people have been charged in connection with the shipment, while six others, including four Customs officers, have also been arraigned over the case. The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of Ghana's institutions in preventing and detecting drug trafficking.
President John Dramani Mahama has directed an inter-agency task force to review Ghana's existing systems for detecting and preventing drug trafficking through the country's borders. The task force has been given two weeks to submit its report. However, Mr Boakye criticised the government's handling of the recent cases, arguing that the President's call for tougher measures had not resulted in the removal of officials he believes should be held responsible.
Mr Boakye specifically called for the removal of the heads of several institutions, including the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, and NACOC. He accused officials of relaxing on their duties and called for accountability, saying "They have relaxed on their duties. They must be sacked."
The NPP's criticism of the government's handling of the narcotics cases has sparked concerns about weak leadership. Mr Boakye said, "What His Excellency the President is exhibiting is weak leadership... His Excellency the President spoke tough. He was going to crack the whip. Today, he cannot crack the whip. He is rather pampering the activities of illicit drugs."
The NPP's demands for the removal of key officials and the establishment of a bipartisan parliamentary committee to investigate narcotics-related cases reflect growing concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana's institutions in preventing and detecting drug trafficking. The outcome of the inter-agency task force's review and the government's response to the NPP's demands remain to be seen.
Key points
- NPP demands removal of heads of key institutions over handling of narcotics cases
- 12 narcotics-related cases recorded between 2025 and September 2026 with estimated street value of over US$1 billion
- Inter-agency task force to review Ghana's systems for detecting and preventing drug trafficking
