The Minority in Parliament is pushing for an urgent parliamentary investigation into a series of major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana, arguing that the incidents raise serious concerns about the country’s border security and cargo inspection systems.
Addressing journalists ahead of Parliament’s sitting on Tuesday, September 29, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee and Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, called on the Mahama administration to account for the effectiveness of measures intended to prevent international drug trafficking.
According to the Minority, three significant drug interceptions between 2025 and 2026 have exposed possible weaknesses in Ghana’s cargo-scanning, risk-profiling and border-control systems.
Rev. Fordjour cited the interception of more than 3.3 tonnes of cocaine at Pedu Junction near Cape Coast in March 2025. The narcotics, estimated to be worth over US$350 million, were concealed beneath sand in a tipper truck.
He also referenced the seizure by Australian authorities in June 2026 of approximately 320 kilograms of methamphetamine allegedly concealed in containers declared as charcoal and traced to Ghana. The drugs were reportedly valued at about A$296 million.
The third case involved the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French authorities at Dunkirk in September 2026. The narcotics were reportedly hidden among recycled plastic in a container shipped from Ghana and had an estimated street value of €225 million.
The Minority questioned why information on some of the major seizures emerged first from foreign authorities rather than Ghanaian institutions.
“We cannot continue to learn about major drug seizures involving Ghana from foreign customs authorities,” Rev. Fordjour said.
Call for Ad Hoc Committee
The Minority is backing a proposal for Parliament to constitute an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the major narcotics interceptions.
According to Rev. Fordjour, the proposed committee would examine how the consignments were assembled, inspected and cleared for export, and assess whether Ghana’s scanning and risk-profiling systems functioned effectively.
The inquiry would also investigate the roles played by state agencies, shipping lines, freight forwarders and clearing agents involved in the movement of the consignments.
Additionally, the committee would determine whether the financiers and organizers behind the operations are being identified and pursued by law enforcement agencies, and whether any proceeds linked to narcotics trafficking are being traced.
The Minority said the investigation should also recommend reforms needed to prevent Ghana’s ports, airports and territorial waters from being exploited by international drug-trafficking networks.
Oversight Responsibility
Rev. Fordjour stressed that the proposed inquiry is intended to establish facts and identify institutional weaknesses rather than prejudge cases currently before the courts.
He further called on the Government to publish comprehensive and verifiable data on narcotics seizures, arrests and prosecutions recorded since January 2025.
“The people of Ghana deserve answers. Parliament must exercise its oversight responsibility,” he stated.
The Minority urged Members of Parliament from both sides of the House to support the proposed investigation, insisting that the fight against narcotics trafficking transcends partisan politics.
According to the group, the consequences of drug trafficking affect all Ghanaians and require a united national response focused on accountability, transparency and stronger security systems.
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