Cocaine case: There are a lot more involved; arrest all of them - Nitiwul

Bimbilla Member of Parliament and former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has urged Ghana's security agencies to investigate and arrest all individuals linked to the cocaine shipment discovered in France. Nitiwul believes that due to the complex nature of cargo movements through Ghana's ports, several individuals were involved in the container's journey.

He questioned the identities and responsibilities of those connected to loading, transporting, and importing the illicit drug. Nitiwul emphasized that the cocaine could not have originated within Ghana, as it was initially imported before being rerouted through Brussels and the country. He urged the security forces to expand their investigation to include all potential suspects.

President John Dramani Mahama has mandated security agencies to present a thorough report within two weeks to improve coordination and efficiency at the country's ports. During a high-level meeting on September 17, Mahama expressed concerns over fragmented operations, duplicated roles, and gaps in security coordination, which have led to recent issues with drug trafficking and revenue losses.

In response to these concerns, the government plans to establish a Joint Taskforce to oversee port operations, streamline inspections, and enforce compliance. Additionally, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) will be reinstated to the Joint Container Inspection regime at ports, ending its removal in 2018 by a government memo.

The President assured that the government will equip and resource all relevant agencies to effectively carry out their duties at the ports, ending the era where agencies complained about insufficient resources and personnel.