Policy Analyst and Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has called for the strengthening of Ghana's Customs Division to effectively tackle the country's drug menace. He argues that the Ghana Revenue Authority's Customs Division should be allowed to perform its statutory enforcement duties without interference from other agencies. This stance comes amid renewed scrutiny of Ghana's port inspection regime following a series of major drug seizures linked to the country.
Bentil's comments are backed by his assertion that the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has a broader mandate that goes beyond waiting at ports to search containers. He questions the Commission's effectiveness in tackling drugs allegedly being moved within Ghana and across other entry and exit points. According to him, NACOC's role includes preventing and investigating illicit drug activity across the country, not just at ports.
The policy analyst further alleges that interference by political authorities and other state agencies has been affecting Customs' ability to perform its duties effectively. He claims that several agencies and people in power interfere with Customs duties, disrupting their proper operation. Bentil's concerns are echoed in his social media post, where he urged that Customs be left alone to perform their duties.
Bentil also criticizes the involvement of multiple regulatory agencies in port inspections, citing NACOC, the Food and Drugs Authority, and fumigation agencies as examples. He argues that their activities have contributed to delays and increased the burden on importers, ultimately affecting the ease of doing business at Ghana's ports. This has significant implications for the country's trade and economic activities.
The debate on Ghana's port inspection regime has intensified following a series of major drug seizures linked to the country. In September 2026, nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine were intercepted in France, highlighting the need for effective measures to tackle the drug menace. The issue has sparked renewed scrutiny of the current inspection regime and the role of various agencies involved.
In response to these concerns, President John Dramani Mahama has directed security and regulatory agencies operating at the ports to harmonize their activities. The directive aims to improve cargo screening and enforcement by submitting a framework for harmonization. Additionally, the President's directive provides for NACOC's restoration to the joint container inspection process, following its removal in 2018.
The way forward for Ghana's port inspection regime seems to hinge on finding a balance between effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation. While multiple agencies have a role to play in tackling the drug menace, the need for streamlined processes and reduced interference is crucial. As the debate continues, stakeholders will be watching to see how Ghana's authorities address these concerns and implement effective solutions.
Key points
- Kofi Bentil suggests strengthening Ghana Customs to tackle the drug menace.
- Bentil criticizes multiple agency involvement in port inspections.
- President Mahama directs agencies to harmonize activities to improve cargo screening and enforcement.
