Ntim Fordjour calls for cancellation of Ghana-Colombia maritime deal over drug trafficking concerns

Assin South MP and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has urged the government to revoke the maritime shipping agreement between Ghana and Colombia without delay. Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the MP contended that the deal offers minimal economic advantage to Ghana while posing significant security risks.

He lamented that the agreement, signed in March 2026, provides Ghana with little benefit but raises serious security concerns. Fordjour argued that without substantial economic benefits, the government has no justification for approving the arrangement, especially given the porous nature of Ghana's borders and insufficient resources for security agencies.

The MP highlighted the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's report, which identifies Colombia, alongside Brazil, as a primary source of cocaine trafficking and notes that Colombia produces approximately 70 percent of the world's cocaine. He questioned the rationale behind approving the bilateral trade agreement, particularly given that Colombia is not a significant producer of goods that Ghana requires in substantial quantities, unlike other nations such as China.

Fordjour questioned the decision to sign the agreement, which would facilitate direct shipping between Ghana and Cartagena without the need to traverse typical transit points like Belgium or France. He questioned the basis of the government's decision to sign the accord and expressed disbelief at the government's actions, given the known security challenges.