AFAG calls for parliamentary probe into Ghana’s growing narcotics seizures

The Alliance for Accountability Governance (AFAG) has called for a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry into the growing number of major narcotics seizures involving Ghana, saying the repeated incidents raise serious questions about the country’s border security, intelligence systems and port controls.

The group said the frequency and scale of recent seizures, both within Ghana and abroad, could no longer be treated as isolated incidents.

In a statement, the Alliance cited several major narcotics interceptions, including the seizure in France of nearly four tonnes of cocaine concealed in a container of plastic waste that had originated from Ghana.

Four persons have reportedly been remanded in Ghana in connection with the French seizure, while investigations into other persons allegedly linked to the consignment continue.

The group also referenced the seizure of approximately 3.3 tonnes of cocaine at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in March 2025, as well as a separate interception involving about 120 slabs of cocaine reportedly valued at approximately US$150 million along the Takoradi–Cape Coast highway.

It further cited the interception in Australia of 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine in June 2026, allegedly concealed in a shipment declared as charcoal and shipped from Ghana.

According to the Alliance, the Australian case became particularly significant after the Minister for the Interior reportedly told Parliament that preliminary investigations had implicated persons within the government system and that some government officials were being questioned over possible internal collusion.

The group said a series of subsequent domestic interceptions had added to concerns about the scale of narcotics trafficking through Ghana.

Among the cases it cited were the interception of 1,613 parcels of suspected narcotic substances being transported towards Tema in January 2026; 5,039 suspected narcotic parcels seized at Afienya in June; and 3,009 compressed slabs intercepted at Kpofopo in Tema in July.

The Alliance also pointed to an August 2026 interception at the Tema Harbour enclave involving 866 parcels of suspected cocaine concealed in sacks of gari and estimated at approximately US$6.9 million.

In September, it said police intercepted 192 compressed wraps of suspected cocaine in Wa following intelligence concerning the movement of suspected cocaine from Kumasi through the Bole enclave to Wa.

The group also cited the September 14 interception by the Oti Regional Police Command of an articulated truck carrying 5,164 compressed and dried parcels suspected to be narcotic substances. Three persons were arrested while another reportedly escaped.

Two days later, the Marine Police reportedly intercepted an abandoned canoe on the River Volta containing 2,213 slabs of suspected Indian hemp packed in 29 sacks. The occupants of the canoe allegedly fled after sighting the police.

The Alliance said the accumulation of such cases raises questions about how much narcotics may be passing through Ghana undetected.

It argued that the issue goes beyond individual criminal cases and touches on national security, the integrity of Ghana’s ports and borders, intelligence gathering and the effectiveness of cargo-screening systems.

The group, however, acknowledged the work of the Ghana Police Service, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Customs and other security agencies in intercepting suspected narcotics consignments.

It said seizures alone should not be the principal measure of success and called for investigations to go beyond couriers, drivers and other individuals allegedly involved at the operational level.

The Alliance said investigations should establish the financiers, owners, clearing agents, warehouse operators and other individuals or entities that may be connected to the alleged trafficking networks.

It stressed that any person found to have facilitated narcotics trafficking should be dealt with according to the law, regardless of political affiliation, public position or business connections.

The group also raised questions about the latest French cocaine case, following reports that President John Mahama had been briefed by security chiefs and that 10 individuals, including four Customs officers of the Ghana Revenue Authority, were being held while investigations continued.

It called for investigators to establish how the consignment moved through the relevant systems, whether required inspections were conducted, what scanning records showed, who authorised the release of the container and whether any intelligence alerts or documentation irregularities were involved.

The Alliance said such questions should be addressed through evidence-based investigations rather than political arguments.

As part of its proposed response, the group is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana, particularly cases involving international consignments.

It is also seeking forensic examination of port and Customs records, including manifests, scanning records, inspection reports, clearance documents, CCTV footage and electronic records.

The group further wants authorities to trace the financial networks behind the consignments, identify ultimate beneficiaries and provide periodic public updates on investigations and prosecutions arising from major narcotics seizures.

It also called for stronger intelligence cooperation between Ghana and international partners, including France and Australia, whose authorities have intercepted consignments allegedly connected to Ghana.

The Alliance said the possibility of internal facilitation within Ghana’s systems must be investigated wherever evidence points to it.

It maintained that Ghana should not become a transit point or safe haven for international narcotics networks and urged the government to treat the repeated seizures as a broader national security concern rather than a series of unrelated incidents.

The statement was signed by Dr Samuel K. Frimpong, Derrick Agyekum, William Apau Obeng, Obed Owusu Asiedu and Gilbert Adjei on behalf of the Alliance for Accountability Governance.