NPP MPs petition Speaker to recall Parliament over major narcotics busts

A group of Members of Parliament has petitioned the Speaker to recall Parliament from recess for an extraordinary sitting to consider a series of major narcotics-related incidents involving consignments linked to Ghana.

The petition, led by First Deputy Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu, states that the MPs supporting the request constitute at least the constitutionally required 15 per cent of the membership of the House.

According to the MPs, the reported cocaine seizures raise concerns about national security, the integrity of Ghana's ports and borders, efforts to combat organised crime and the country's international reputation.

They are seeking parliamentary scrutiny of the reported seizure by French authorities of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026, as well as other major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana, which they say have amounted to well over $1 billion over the past two years.

The MPs are relying on Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament in seeking the extraordinary sitting.

“Article 112(3) provides that 15 per cent of Members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament, after which the Speaker is required to summon the House within seven days of receiving the request,” they said.

MPs submit memorandum
In a memorandum dated September 18, 2026, the MPs said the request was being made in the national interest and to enable Parliament to exercise its constitutional oversight responsibilities.

“We make this request in good faith and in the national interest, recognising Parliament's responsibility to ensure transparency, accountability and effective oversight of institutions entrusted with the security of the Republic.

“The scale of the reported seizure in France, together with other recent narcotics-related incidents involving consignments originating from or passing through Ghana, warrants urgent parliamentary scrutiny,” they said.

The memorandum was submitted on behalf of the MPs by Mr Iddrisu.

Proposed parliamentary inquiry
The MPs said the cocaine seized in France, reportedly valued at more than $260 million, was concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that had departed from Ghana.

They said the incident raised questions about the security of Ghana's ports and export systems, customs controls, intelligence gathering and the effectiveness of narcotics enforcement mechanisms.

While acknowledging that Ghanaian and international authorities were conducting investigations into the incidents, the petitioners said Parliament had a constitutional responsibility to examine the relevant institutional and security issues without interfering with ongoing investigations or prejudicing the rights of persons under investigation.

Given the seriousness of the incidents and their potential implications for national security, Ghana's international standing, port and border security and the fight against organised crime, the MPs called for a parliamentary inquiry or investigation into the institutional, regulatory and security matters arising from the cases.

“These may include, as Parliament considers appropriate, the minister responsible for the Interior, Minister responsible for Transport, Minister responsible for National Security, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau and other relevant security and regulatory agencies,” they said.

The petitioners want Parliament to establish the circumstances under which the container intercepted in France was processed and exported from Ghana, including the port or facility from which it departed and the inspection, scanning and clearance procedures applied to it.

They also want information on the companies and institutions involved in processing and clearing the consignment, subject to restrictions necessary to protect ongoing investigations.

The MPs further want the House to be briefed on the progress of investigations and arrests, as well as the level of cooperation between Ghanaian authorities and their French and other international counterparts.

“Parliament must know measures being taken to identify the financiers, organisers and networks behind major narcotics trafficking operations, the adequacy of security, scanning, intelligence and surveillance systems at Ghana's ports, airports and other points of entry and exit and measures being implemented to prevent Ghana from being used as a transit or operational point for international narcotics trafficking,” they said.

MPs cite other narcotics cases
The petition also referred to several other drug-related incidents since 2025 which the MPs said required parliamentary attention.

They cited an incident on March 4, 2025, when the National Intelligence Bureau reportedly intercepted more than 3.3 tonnes of cocaine concealed beneath sand in a tipper truck at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast. The consignment was estimated to have a street value exceeding $350 million.

According to the MPs, another consignment containing approximately 120 slabs of cocaine, with an estimated value of $150 million, was intercepted along the Takoradi-Cape Coast highway during the same period.

They also referred to an August 5, 2026 incident in which the Tema Regional Police Command reportedly seized 866 parcels of suspected cocaine concealed in sacks of gari at a warehouse within the Tema Harbour enclave. The consignment was valued at $6.9 million.

“Again, an aircraft alleged to be carrying narcotics and undeclared US currency from Gran Canaria landed at Kotoka International Airport on or around March 20, 2025, a matter that remains unresolved; and the MV Sankofa, found sailing under a forged flag and released by the Ghana Maritime Authority upon payment of a fraction of an applicable fine of almost GH¢12 million without full inspection of its cargo, was subsequently arrested in Senegal carrying narcotics,” they said.

The MPs further cited the seizure by Australian customs authorities on June 18, 2026 of 320kg of methamphetamine, reportedly valued at $261 million, concealed in a consignment of charcoal traced to Ghana.