Ntim Fordjour accuses government of failing to act on Ghana’s drug crisis

Rev. Ntim Fordjour, a member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has criticized the government for its failure to take action against Ghana’s escalating drug trafficking issue. During a recent interview on Joy News’ PM Express, he questioned why no head of a relevant state agency had been removed despite multiple high-profile drug-related incidents linked to the country.

Fordjour pointed out that about 16 agencies are part of the value chain, with five of them closely involved in the current controversy. Despite these agencies' involvement, he stated, "They are just there, enjoying their salaries, their benefits."

The MP’s remarks come as Ghana’s role in international drug trafficking has come under renewed scrutiny following the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France on September 10. French customs discovered the cocaine hidden within a container of plastic waste that had originated from Ghana. The Minority has accused the government of facilitating major drug seizures linked to the country, which have exceeded US$1 billion over the past two years. They have even petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to recall the House for an inquiry.

Minority leader Fordjour called on President Mahama to demonstrate greater political will to combat the crisis, stating, "The president is not willing and ready to solve the problem, or if he has solutions, he is just not willing to put the political will to crack the whip and do what is right." He emphasized the need for strong leadership capable of responding decisively to the growing threat, urging the President to act upon his return from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGAS).

Fordjour also defended the Minority's decision to invoke Article 112(3) of the Constitution, which requires a 15% threshold for the recall of Parliament. With signatures, a petition, and a memorandum already filed with the Speaker last week, he asserted that the threshold had been surpassed. He urged the Speaker to issue a notice of recall for an emergency, bipartisan committee to investigate the issue thoroughly and transparently.

Fordjour stressed that the inquiry should not be a partisan exercise but rather a mission to find solutions that can restore Ghana to its former glory. He warned that drug trafficking is not only a public health issue but also contributes to money laundering and links to terrorism, and that it poses a vulnerability to non-state actors in Ghana.