The Minority in Parliament has filed a motion seeking a review of Speaker Alban Bagbin's ruling that declared inadmissible its proposed parliamentary inquiry into drug trafficking through Ghana.
According to the Minority, pending criminal cases should not prevent Parliament from investigating possible lapses in the country's port security, cargo inspection and border control systems.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, at a media briefing when Parliament resumed sitting for the third meeting of the second session of the Ninth Parliament on Tuesday [November 3, 2026] said the application, was filed by the First Deputy Whip, Habib Iddrisu, under Standing Order 127, challenging a ruling delivered by the Speaker on September 29, 2026.
Mr Bagbin had declared inadmissible a private member's motion by the Minority seeking a parliamentary inquiry into the cocaine seizures.
The Speaker explained that the proposed inquiry substantially overlapped with matters already before the courts and could interfere with evidence, witnesses and issues of responsibility in ongoing criminal proceedings.
The cases involve about 21 persons in four separate narcotics-related prosecutions.
He relied on the sub judice principle, which restricts discussions of matters pending before the courts, to rule the motion out of order.
Accountability
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the application for a review was not an attempt to undermine the authority of the Speaker.
"We respect the office of the Speaker and recognise the constitutional responsibility entrusted to its occupant. However, the respect for the office does not require silence when a ruling raises a serious question about the constitutional powers of Parliament and the ability of elected representatives to demand accountability from public institutions," he said.
He maintained that criminal prosecutions and institutional oversight were separate responsibilities and that pending trials should not prevent Parliament from examining the operations of public institutions.
"An arrest is not a conviction. Equally, a pending criminal trial does not suspend administrative accountability," he stated.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said Parliament had a responsibility to establish whether port security arrangements, cargo inspection procedures, customs controls and intelligence coordination were functioning properly.
He warned that repeated seizures of consignments linked to Ghana in foreign jurisdictions could damage the country's reputation in international trade and increase operating costs for legitimate businesses.
"Each major seizure which is linked to our country risks weakening the confidence in the integrity of our export controls," he said.
He added that increased inspections could result in delays, storage charges, disrupted deliveries and higher compliance costs for exporters.
"A legitimate exporter can lose a customer because a shipment arrives late," he said.
Cocaine seizures
Mr Afenyo-Markin cited the seizure of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French authorities at the Port of Dunkirk on September 7, 2026.
The cocaine, valued at about €225 million, was concealed in a shipment of plastic waste from Ghana.
He also referred to earlier seizures in Amsterdam, Antwerp and Sydney, as well as more recent incidents involving passenger luggage from Accra.
"Our ports must serve legitimate commerce. Our borders must command respect. Our young people deserve protection. Our country's reputation deserves defending. The government must act," he said.
Majority's position
The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, James Agalga, said the Majority was prepared to engage the Minority if the application for a review was admitted.
"Let the Minority cross the first hurdle in filing their motions. We will meet them squarely. Where there is merit, we will not run away from them. We shall debate them," he said.
Mr Agalga also challenged the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to defend its record in the fight against narcotics.
"The NPP cannot win the drug debate on any day. Bring on the debate and the good people of this country would know whose track record is better," he stated.
"My brother, Minority Leader, we are ready for you. Bring it on," he added.
