They should have Ghana first – Ntim Fordjour warns MPs against politicising drug crisis

Rev. Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has cautioned MPs against politicising Ghana's escalating drug trafficking problem. The Assin South MP urged Parliament to act in the national interest, instead of allowing partisan politics to dominate the response. Fordjour's remarks came during an appearance on Joy News' PM Express, coming amid heightened concerns over Ghana's involvement in major international drug seizures.

French authorities seized over 3.9 tonnes of cocaine from a container of plastic waste on September 10 in Dunkirk, with the shipment originating from Ghana. Four Ghanaians have been indicted, while one Dutch national remains at large. This seizure is part of a series of narcotics cases tied to Ghana, with over 40 MPs petitioning for a recall of Parliament over the past two years, citing seizures worth over US$1 billion.

The Minority has utilized Article 112(3) of the Constitution and relevant Standing Orders to demand an emergency parliamentary session. Fordjour urged MPs to treat the issue as a national security matter, warning that drugs not only consume the youth but also contribute to money laundering and terrorism. He further criticized the government's approach to the crisis and called for stronger leadership from President Mahama upon his return from the UN General Assembly.

The Minority has already gathered over 15% of the required signatures for a recall petition, which was filed last week and acknowledged by the Speaker. The proposed recall would establish a bipartisan committee to conduct a comprehensive inquiry. Fordjour criticized the government's handling of the situation and called for a coordinated national response to the drug menace, emphasizing the need for solutions over further political division.