Minority demands security review of Ghana-Colombia visa waiver and port deals

The Minority Caucus on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has called for a suspension of Ghana's bilateral visa-waiver agreement and maritime cooperation deal with Colombia. The Caucus insists these agreements must undergo a thorough national-security review before they can continue. This demand comes after a surge in large-scale cocaine seizures allegedly connected to Ghana under the current administration.

In a statement led by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minority highlighted the seizures as unprecedented in Ghana's history. The Caucus warned that the evolving relationship between Ghana and Colombia has now become a pressing national-security issue. Earlier this year, Ghana signed a mutual visa-waiver agreement with Colombia, and also concluded a maritime trade pact to connect the Port of Tema with the Port of Cartagena.

The Minority argues these agreements need closer examination due to Colombia's prominent role in the global cocaine trade, as identified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's 2026 World Drug Report. The report singles out Colombia as the primary departure country for cocaine shipments, with the majority of consignments reportedly trafficked by sea.

Additionally, the Caucus referenced a September 29 JoyNews report that placed Ghana as the fifth-largest country of origin for cocaine seized at the Port of Antwerp, with Ghana being the sole African nation and the only non-Southern and Central American country in the top five. The Minority expressed concern over this situation, particularly as multi-tonne cocaine shipments linked to Ghana continue to be intercepted both domestically and internationally.

Consequently, the Caucus is advocating for the suspension of both the visa-waiver agreement and the maritime and port cooperation with Colombia. They also seek the entire framework, including the visa-waiver arrangement, to be submitted to Parliament for a comprehensive security review. The Minority's call for action comes amid renewed scrutiny of Ghana's alleged role as a drug transit hub.

The Caucus has previously advocated for Parliament's recall to investigate the matter, citing concerns over major cocaine seizures and potential shortcomings in the country's response to the escalating threat. In their latest statement, the Minority emphasized that Ghana's ports should remain gateways for legitimate trade and not conduits for international criminal networks, asserting that the security of Ghana's borders, the integrity of its institutions, and the country's international standing must be prioritized.