'Facts don’t support Ghana being a cocaine hub under Mahama's gov't’ – Majority Leader 

Majority Leader in Parliament James Agalga has rejected descriptions of Ghana as a drug hub under President John Dramani Mahama.

His comments come amid heightened public discussion over recent cocaine seizures in Ghana and abroad that have been linked to the country.

The development has attracted criticism from the opposition New Patriotic Party and other critics who say the country has now become a narcotic transit point.

However, addressing a press conference in Parliament on Thursday, September 24, Mr Agalga said the characterisation of Ghana as a cocaine hub under the Mahama administration is not supported by the facts

“Anybody who describes this country as a cocaine hub must bow his head in shame. The facts don't support that kind of a description,” Mr Agalga said.

He argued that Ghana had faced major narcotics-related cases under previous administrations, including the 2006 MV Benjamin cocaine scandal.

The MV Benjamin case became one of Ghana's most prominent cocaine scandals after the vessel arrived at Tema in April 2006 carrying the consignment.

A subsequent investigation found that 76 of the 77 parcels had been removed from the vessel and taken to Kpone before security agencies could intercept them.

Mr Agalga, who said he had served as counsel for one of the accused persons in the MV Benjamin case, used the incident to contrast the handling of narcotics cases in the past with what he described as the current government's approach.

He said the government is determined to arrest and prosecute persons involved in narcotics-related activities and also ensure that suspects' constitutional rights and due process were respected.

“Today, we're saying that if you engage in any narcotics or drug enterprise, you are going to be arrested. No cocaine would vanish under the watch of this particular government,” he said.

The Majority Leader also pointed to the operation of specialised courts as part of measures intended to expedite the prosecution of narcotics-related cases.