The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. Dr John Ntim Fordjour, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to intensify the fight against narcotics trafficking, warning that a series of cocaine seizures involving shipments originating from Ghana is undermining the country’s international reputation.
He has also demanded an update on investigations into the alleged cocaine flights involving Gran Canaria, which he said the President had earlier directed authorities to investigate.
In a post on X yesterday, the Assin South MP questioned the government’s commitment to its declared zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking, citing what he described as repeated interceptions of large consignments of cocaine linked to Ghana in foreign jurisdictions.
Rev. Dr Fordjour claimed that more than $3 billion worth of drugs linked to Ghana had been seized overseas under the current administration, with several other consignments allegedly reaching their destinations undetected.
Fresh seizures
His concerns follow a series of major cocaine interceptions in Europe, including the seizure of 2,600 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a shipment of coconuts from Ghana at Spain’s Port of Valencia.
Spanish authorities reportedly discovered the drugs hidden beneath false compartments in wooden boxes used to transport the coconuts. The operation led to the arrest of two people in Almeria.
Another major interception occurred in September when French authorities seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine from a container originating from Ghana at the Port of Dunkirk.
The seizures have renewed scrutiny of international cargo routes and the potential exploitation of legitimate commercial shipments by organised drug trafficking networks.
However, the interceptions do not, in themselves, establish the involvement of Ghanaian officials or businesses in the illicit trade. Spanish authorities have not announced any arrests of Ghanaian nationals in connection with the Valencia seizure.
Under pressure
Rev. Dr Fordjour also cited a reported international ranking which placed Ghana fifth globally in cocaine trafficking to Belgium, arguing that the developments were eroding the country's standing in the international community.
He questioned why an agreement he attributed to Mr Okudzeto, involving arrangements for direct shipments between the ports of Tema in Ghana and Cartagena in Colombia, had not been cancelled.
The MP alleged that some government officials, drug networks and state agencies were benefiting from the illicit trade.
He, however, did not provide evidence to substantiate those allegations.
He called on President Mahama to take decisive action against individuals and institutions suspected of facilitating narcotics trafficking and to ensure that investigations into the reported incidents produced tangible results.
Rev. Dr Fordjour urged the President to demonstrate political commitment in tackling the problem, saying the country needed to restore its reputation as a state intolerant of narcotics trafficking
