Ghana Minority: Calls For Narcotics Transit Hub Parliamentary Inquiry

• The Minority in Parliament has raised alarm over Ghana's increasing role as a transit hub for international narcotics, with over US$1 billion in drug seizures linked to the country in under two years.
• Major domestic seizures include 3.3 tonnes of cocaine at Pedu Junction (US$350M) and 866 parcels at Tema Harbour (US$6.9M).
• International seizures linked to Ghana include 320kg of methamphetamine in Australia (US$261M) and nearly 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine in France (US$260M).
• Concerns persist over unresolved incidents like the MV Sankofa affair and slow progress in investigations, particularly the Pedu Junction case where high-profile financiers remain unpunished.
• The Minority is demanding a full-scale, independent parliamentary inquiry to hold ministers and agency heads accountable for anti-narcotics enforcement and border security.

The Minority insists that sector ministers and heads of relevant agencies be summoned to Parliament to provide comprehensive accounts of ongoing investigations, explain the circumstances surrounding the release of the MV Sankofa, and detail the measures being implemented to secure Ghana’s ports, airports, and territorial waters.

Ghana's role as a significant transit hub for international narcotics trafficking has drawn sharp criticism from the Minority in Parliament, who recently voiced fresh alarm over the escalating situation. According to the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. Ntim Fordour, drug seizures linked to Ghana have now surpassed US$1 billion in street value within a span of less than two years, specifically under the current NDC government. This substantial figure underscores a growing Ghana drug trafficking problem that has manifested in numerous high-profile incidents both domestically and abroad.

Among the most notable domestic incidents was the March 4, 2025, Pedu Junction cocaine seizure in Cape Coast, where the National Intelligence Bureau intercepted a tipper truck carrying over 3.3 tonnes of cocaine. This massive consignment, valued at more than US$350 million, was reportedly en route from Takoradi to Accra, concealed beneath sand. Another significant seizure occurred along the Takoradi-Cape Coast highway, involving approximately 120 slabs of cocaine estimated to be worth US$150 million. The Tema Harbour cocaine incident on August 5, 2026, also saw the Tema Regional Police Command confiscate 866 parcels of suspected cocaine, hidden within sacks of gari at a warehouse, with an estimated value of US$6.9 million.

The concerns extend beyond Ghana's borders, with several international drug seizures directly traced back to the country. On June 18, 2026, Australian customs authorities intercepted 320 kilograms of methamphetamine, valued at US$261 million, concealed within a charcoal consignment originating from Ghana. More recently, on September 10, 2026, French customs officers at the port of Dunkirk seized nearly 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine, worth over US$260 million, from a container of plastic waste that had departed Ghana, as reported by Reuters.

Adding to the gravity of the situation are several unresolved incidents that raise questions about Ghana anti-narcotics enforcement. These include an alleged incident around March 20, 2025, involving an aircraft landing at Kotoka International Airport, purportedly carrying narcotics and undeclared US currency from Gran Canaria. Furthermore, the July 2025 MV Sankofa incident Ghana remains a point of contention; a vessel sailing under a forged flag, liable for a fine of nearly GH¢12 million, was released after only a fraction of the amount was paid and without a full inspection of its cargo. The vessel was subsequently arrested in Senegal, found to be carrying narcotics. The Minority Parliament drug crisis concerns are further exacerbated by the slow progress in investigations, particularly the Pedu Junction case, where over a year later, only peripheral suspects have been arraigned and remain on bail, while the financiers and high-profile dealers behind the US$350 million shipment remain unidentified and unpunished.

In response to these alarming developments and perceived lapses in accountability, the Minority in Parliament is demanding a full-scale, independent Ghana narcotics transit hub parliamentary inquiry. This inquiry aims to scrutinize the various incidents and the broader framework of Ghana's anti-narcotics efforts. The Minority insists that sector ministers and heads of relevant agencies be summoned to Parliament to provide comprehensive accounts of ongoing investigations, explain the circumstances surrounding the release of the MV Sankofa, and detail the measures being implemented to secure Ghana’s ports, airports, and territorial waters.

Rev. Fordour emphasized that Ghana's international reputation and the safety of its youth from the scourge of narcotics cannot be compromised by official silence or political convenience. The Minority has vowed to persist until the truth behind these incidents is fully uncovered and all those found responsible are held accountable, highlighting the critical need for transparency and decisive action in addressing the nation's deepening drug crisis.

Compliance officers and legal counsel advising clients engaged in logistics, trade, or shipping in Ghana should review their supply chain due diligence and risk assessments due to the escalating narcotics trafficking and the potential for increased regulatory scrutiny, enforcement actions, and new legislation.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com