They learn from our weaknesses – Dr Norman warns Ghana is giving drug traffickers an edge

Dr. Ishmael Norman, a security consultant, has cautioned that drug traffickers are taking advantage of weaknesses in Ghana's security system to smuggle large quantities of narcotics across the country. He argues that Ghana's approach to drug enforcement needs to shift from viewing trafficking as an isolated incident to recognizing it as a significant national threat.

This perspective was highlighted after French customs seized approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in a container that had originated from Ghana, with the shipment valued at over $260 million, intercepted at the port of Dunkirk on September 10.

Ghanaian authorities have also made substantial arrests, including 866 parcels of suspected cocaine at the Tema Harbour and 192 compressed wraps of suspected cocaine in Wa, following intelligence-led operations. Dr. Norman emphasized during an appearance on Joy News’ PM Express that the volume of these seizures indicates systemic weaknesses within Ghana's drug enforcement apparatus.

He contends that the current strategy treats drug enforcement as an occasional emergency rather than an existential threat to the nation. "The approach to drug enforcement in Ghana is that we look at it as an occasional emergency, rather than an existential threat to us," he stated.

Dr. Norman criticized the fragmentation of security and regulatory agencies involved in combating drug trafficking, suggesting that multiple institutions should collaborate rather than operate in isolation. "And so, for this kind of quantum of drugs—methamphetamine, cocaine—to be exported through our country tells us that all the security agencies—and I’m talking, it is not one agency that is responsible for drug enforcement," he noted.

He highlighted issues with personnel, infrastructure, and investigative capabilities within these agencies. "NACOC lacks a lot of skills in terms of even an investigation room; they don’t have one. They don’t even have enough vehicles to do their job," Dr. Norman remarked. Similarly, he pointed out that the Customs Department faces infrastructure challenges and questions regarding the chain of custody for many containers moving through the system.

"When it comes to the chain of custody of a lot of the containers, who is responsible for the containers? We don’t know who is really in charge," he added.

Furthermore, Dr. Norman expressed concern about the capacity of Ghana's container-scanning and physical inspection systems, which he believes traffickers exploit due to the system's vulnerabilities. "They are very organised. They are sophisticated. They are listening to this program as we are talking. They learn from the weaknesses of the institutions charged with the responsibility to stop and fight the drug menace in this country," he warned.

The repeated seizures, he argued, could tarnish Ghana's international reputation, a concern that underscores the urgent need for systemic reform in drug enforcement.