Save The Republic Slams Government’s “Bewildering Ineptitude” Over Narcotics Scandals

Save The Republic, a youth movement, has condemned the government’s handling of recent narcotics‑trafficking revelations, describing the official response as “a bewildering display of governmental ineptitude, institutional paralysis, and a disturbing failure of political will.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and signed by its Team Lead, Kwesi Botchway Jnr., Esq, the group said the government’s reaction “is not merely disappointing; it is a bewildering display of governmental ineptitude, institutional paralysis and a disturbing failure of political will.”

The criticism follows an announcement from the Presidency that President John Dramani Mahama had convened an emergency meeting with security chiefs after reports of narcotics being trafficked through Ghana’s ports.

According to the Presidency’s statement, signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, “The President was informed that ten (10) individuals, including four officers of the Customs Division of the GRA, are being held while investigations continue.”

The statement added that President Mahama has directed the formation of “an inter‑agency task force to present a detailed roadmap, emanating from today’s meeting, on measures to prevent the trafficking of drugs through Ghana’s borders in two weeks.”

But Save The Republic insists the move is wholly inadequate.

“At a time when Ghana’s name is repeatedly being dragged into major embarrassing international narcotics seizures, the President’s response is yet another task force, and another two‑week roadmap,” the group argued.

“This is an abdication of the decisive leadership the moment demands.”

The movement is demanding immediate sanctions, stating: “If for nothing at all, the President should have immediately demanded the resignation or sacking of the Head of Security at Tema Port, Col. Atobrah Bondah, and the Customs Commissioner, Aaron Kanor.”

“A security failure of this magnitude cannot be met with business as usual,” it added.

Save The Republic further warned that the President’s posture “has yet again deepened the perception that he has zero commitment to the serious and uncompromising fight against illicit drugs.”

The group concluded with a rallying call to citizens: “We need to rise up and SAVE THE REPUBLIC from becoming a cocaine coast.”