Barker-Vormawor criticises NPP over shift from ‘intelligence’ to ‘metaphor’ on cocaine factories claim

Social activist and private legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor has criticised the Minority in Parliament over its defense of claims that cocaine factories are operating in Ghana.

The controversy follows a series of recent cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, including the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French authorities at the Port of Dunkirk early September 2026.

Addressing a press conference, the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Henry Nana Boakye claimed the party's intelligence suggests the existence of a drug factory in the country.

However, speaking in an interview on Accra-based Adom TV's Badwam show on Tuesday, September 29, Minority Leader in Parliament Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the comment was metaphorical and intended to provide context to concerns raised by government officials.

Reacting to this in a social media post on the same day, Barker-Vormawor questioned whether there are people within the opposition party who could challenge what he described as political stunts.

Barker-Vormawor said the subsequent explanation that the references were metaphorical raises concerns about the seriousness with which political actors are approaching matters of national importance.

“I am so disappointed. Governance should not be reduced to a joke. Nothing has been learnt?” he asked.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin has dismissed the Minority's motion seeking Parliamentary inquiry into recent narcotics seizures related to Ghana.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Speaker cited the risk of prejudicing ongoing investigations and criminal cases related to the developments.