The Minority in Parliament has formally demanded a full‑scale, independent parliamentary inquiry into what it describes as Ghana’s emergence as a narcotics transit hub. The request was signed by the Ranking Member on Defence and Interior, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, and cites a spate of high‑profile seizures over the past 18 months.
According to the statement, Ghana has repeatedly featured in major narcotics trafficking cases both domestically and abroad. Seizures linked to the country under the NDC administration now exceed US$1 billion. Notable incidents include a March 2025 interception of a tipper truck at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast carrying more than 3.3 tonnes of cocaine concealed beneath sand, with an estimated street value of over US$350 million. A second consignment of 120 slabs of cocaine, valued at about US$150 million, was seized along the Takoradi‑Cape Coast highway.
Further seizures include 866 parcels of suspected cocaine concealed in sacks of gari at a Tema Harbour warehouse on 5 August 2026, valued at US$6.9 million, and foreign confiscations such as 320 kg of methamphetamine seized by Australian customs on 18 June 2026 and nearly 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine seized by French customs in Dunkirk on 10 September 2026.
The Minority also raised concerns over two unresolved incidents: a March 2025 landing at Kotoka International Airport of an aircraft allegedly carrying narcotics and undeclared US currency from Gran Canaria, and the July 2025 MV Sankofa affair, where a vessel sailing under a forged flag was released after paying only a fraction of a nearly GH¢12 million fine, without a full inspection of its cargo. The vessel was later arrested in Senegal carrying narcotics.
Critics argue that investigations have stalled. “More than a year after the Pedu Junction seizure, it is only the driver, a housemaid, and a small handful of peripheral suspects who have been arraigned and remain on bail,” the statement said. It questioned why financiers and high‑profile dealers behind the US$350 million cocaine shipment remain unidentified and unpunished.
The Minority also accused key agencies of remaining silent over some incidents, noting that Ghana’s port authorities offered no public account of the Dunkirk seizure, NACOC was conspicuously quiet, and the Ghana Maritime Authority never explained the irregular discount and release granted to the MV Sankofa.
In its demand, the Minority called on sector ministers and heads of relevant agencies to appear before Parliament to provide answers on the status of investigations, the focus of prosecutions, and the authorization of the reduced fine and release of the MV Sankofa. It also seeks details of measures being taken to secure Ghana’s ports, airports and territorial waters against international drug cartels.
“Ghana’s international reputation, and the safety of our young people from the scourge of narcotics, cannot be held hostage to official silence or political convenience,” the statement said. “The Minority will not relent until the truth is known and those found responsible are held accountable.”
