Majority Chief Whip Rockson‑Nelson Dafeamekpor dismissed the minority’s demand for a parliamentary recall over recent large narcotics seizures tied to Ghana consignments, calling the request a “misplaced call.”
Dafeamekpor said the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and the Police are already probing the cases and should be allowed to complete their work without parliamentary interference. He noted that NACOC was established by law to handle narcotics offences and that the Commission, together with the Police, is actively pursuing the matters.
The minority petitioned Speaker Alban Bagbin to recall Parliament under Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders, citing seizures such as nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine seized at the Port of Dunkirk in France on September 10. The petition, signed by First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu, raised concerns about Ghana’s ports, export systems, customs controls, intelligence gathering and narcotics enforcement.
Dafeamekpor warned that recalling Parliament to conduct an inquiry while criminal investigations are active could undermine the work of the institutions responsible for investigating and prosecuting narcotics offences. He argued that where suspects have been arrested and cases have reached the courts, Parliament should not duplicate the work of the Police, NACOC and other statutory bodies.
He added that Parliament cannot prosecute anyone based on the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry, and that the appropriate process is for investigative and prosecutorial institutions to first establish the facts and take the necessary legal action. Dafeamekpor said the seizure of narcotics and arrest of suspects should instead be viewed as evidence that the responsible agencies are working and should be commended.
