The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana has called for the immediate dismissal of the heads of several key state institutions, citing their failure to effectively combat narcotics trafficking in the country. The NPP is demanding the removal of the heads of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), and Ghana Shippers' Authority, as well as the Commissioner-General and Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, made the call at a press conference on September 22, 2026, where he also urged the government to establish a bipartisan parliamentary committee to investigate 12 narcotics-related cases recorded between 2025 and September 2026. The street value of the narcotics intercepted in these cases exceeds US$1 billion, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana's institutions in preventing drug trafficking.
Boakye accused the heads of the affected institutions of failing to adequately discharge their responsibilities and argued that they should be held accountable. He specifically mentioned the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority, the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, among others, as officials who must be sacked.
The NPP's demand for the removal of institutional heads comes amid concerns of narcotics trafficking through Ghana's borders, following the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine from a container that originated from Ghana in France. Four people have been charged in Ghana in connection with the shipment, while six others, including four Customs officers, have also been arraigned over the case.
President John Dramani Mahama has directed an inter-agency task force to review existing systems for detecting drug trafficking through Ghana's borders and submit a roadmap within two weeks. The President has also directed the reinstatement of NACOC in joint container inspection operations at the ports. However, Boakye criticised the President's response, saying his call for stronger action had not been matched by corresponding dismissals of officials.
Boakye further criticised President Mahama's leadership, saying his response to the recent narcotics cases exhibited weak leadership. The NPP's demand for the removal of institutional heads forms part of its broader call for an independent bipartisan investigation into the recent narcotics cases. The party is seeking accountability and stronger action against narcotics trafficking in Ghana.
The issue has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana's institutions in preventing drug trafficking and the need for stronger action to combat the problem. The NPP's call for the dismissal of key officials and an independent investigation has added to the pressure on the government to take decisive action against narcotics trafficking in the country.
Key points
- NPP demands dismissal of heads of NACOC, GMA, and Shippers Authority over narcotics trafficking failures
- 12 narcotics-related cases recorded between 2025 and September 2026 have street value exceeding US$1 billion
- President Mahama directs inter-agency task force to review systems for detecting drug trafficking through Ghana's borders
