The National Organiser of Ghana's opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of having a history of association with illicit drug trafficking. Speaking at a press conference, Nana B claimed that recent drug-related cases following the NDC's return to power were evidence of a link between the party and the illicit drug trade. He cited the case of Nayele Ametefeh, who was arrested at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom in November 2014 for transporting cocaine from Ghana.
Ametefeh was found with about 12.5 kilogrammes of cocaine and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison by a British court. Mr Boakye argued that recent narcotics-related incidents involving consignments reportedly traced to Ghana mirrored developments recorded under the previous Mahama administration. He described the situation as disturbing, claiming that illicit drug trafficking had resurfaced following the NDC's return to government.
The NPP's comments follow the reported interception of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk in France in September 2026. The drugs, valued at an estimated €225 million, were reportedly concealed in a container carrying plastic waste shipped from Ghana. The Narcotics Control Commission later announced the arrest of three people in connection with the consignment and said investigations were continuing.
Mr Boakye recalled that during President John Mahama's first administration, Ametefeh was afforded the courtesy of the VVIP wing at the Kotoka International Airport before her arrest at Heathrow with cocaine in her bags. He claimed that this episode dragged Ghana's name through international disgrace and that a similar pattern had resurfaced under the second Mahama term.
The NPP's allegations have sparked reactions from various quarters, with some calling for a parliamentary inquiry into cocaine trafficking concerns. Others have demanded the immediate removal of institutional heads over cocaine trafficking cases. The government has yet to respond to the NPP's accusations.
The Catholic Bishops Conference has expressed concern over the drug cases, stating that they were disgracing Ghana before the world. The Conference urged the government to take concrete steps to address the issue. Meanwhile, the NDC has dismissed the NPP's allegations, describing them as baseless and unsubstantiated.
The issue of drug trafficking has significant implications for Ghana, with the country's ports and airports being used as transit points for illicit drugs. The government faces mounting pressure to take decisive action to curb the menace and restore public confidence in its ability to tackle the problem. Key points include the NPP's allegations of a link between the NDC and illicit drug trafficking, the recent interception of a large consignment of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk, and the government's need to respond effectively to the issue.
Key points
- NPP alleges link between NDC and illicit drug trafficking
- Recent interception of 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at Port of Dunkirk
- Government faces pressure to tackle drug trafficking effectively
