NDC expresses shock at MP's drug case

Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday said it was shocked at the arrest in the USA of Mr Eric Amoateng, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Nkronza North in connection with drug trafficking and called on the US authorities to leave no stone unturned in the fight to unravel the cartel.

A statement signed by Mr Bede A. Ziedeng, Acting General Secretary, said although a lot had been said about the scandal, the Party had noted that Ghana had been labelled as a major transit point for drug trafficking.

"By this shameful conduct, the NPP MP has exposed Ghana's Parliament to international ridicule and scorn. The act has done much discredit to the image of the country and also cast a slur on our parliamentary democracy, which we have painstakingly tried to put in place."

The statement said members of the Legislature, Ministers of State, other high-ranking officials of the NPP were also likely to lose some of the privileges and immunities they enjoyed on foreign trips as they might be subjected to undue searches and delays.

The NDC said the latest arrest should not be treated as an isolated incident since there were reported drug cases that had not been handled by the security agencies.

"The NDC unreservedly condemns the whole act and calls on the Government to increase its monitoring role of all exit points in order to reduce the incidence of drug trafficking."