‘We’ll explore another constitutional option for narcotics probe’ – Minority on Bagbin’s ruling

The Minority in Parliament says it will explore another constitutional and parliamentary route to pursue an inquiry into major narcotics consignments linked to Ghana, despite Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to reject its proposed motion.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the caucus would not allow the matter to end with the Speaker’s ruling at Parliament’s emergency sitting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

He said the Minority would rely on provisions of the 1992 Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Orders to bring the issue back to the fore.

“We say that we are left with another option, we would exercise an option within the Constitution and our own standing orders in ensuring that this narcotic issue, which has gotten out of hand and has gotten Ghana to gain notoriety as a transshipment point of narcotics back onto the front burner. We will not let this matter rest,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said the caucus intended to use Parliament’s oversight powers to examine the handling of major narcotics consignments and assess the performance of state institutions responsible for preventing Ghana from being used as a transit point for illegal drugs.

He also questioned the Speaker’s interpretation and application of Parliament’s Standing Orders in dismissing the motion, arguing that all public institutions must operate within the confines of the law.

“No agency is above the Constitution, no public institution should exercise power outside the law, and that, Mr. Speaker, must read carefully the standing orders when coming to a conclusion in a sensitive motion such as what we filed,” he said.

The original motion was filed by the First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP, Habib Iddrisu, seeking the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the processes through which major narcotics consignments were handled, inspected, cleared and exported from Ghana.

Among the incidents cited was the seizure of 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine by French Customs at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.

The motion also referenced the seizure of 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine by the Australian Border Force in June 2026, as well as earlier cocaine interceptions in Takoradi and Pedu in Cape Coast.

Speaker Bagbin rejected the motion on the grounds that the proposed parliamentary investigation substantially overlapped with matters currently before the courts and could prejudice ongoing judicial proceedings.

The Minority, however, maintains that its proposed inquiry was not intended to determine the criminal liability of any accused person.

According to the caucus, the focus was on the performance, administration and accountability of public institutions involved in narcotics control and related activities.