Publish Drug Seizure Data In Real Time – Minority

The Minority in Ghana's Parliament has urged the government to publish real-time, verifiable data on drug seizures, arrests, and prosecutions since January 2025. Ranking Member Rev. John Ntim Fordjour made the call during a press briefing, emphasizing the need for Ghanaians to understand their country's involvement in the international drug trade and hold authorities accountable in the fight against narcotics trafficking.

The Minority cited several major drug seizures originating from or linked to Ghana, despite foreign authorities announcing the seizures after interception at foreign ports. Notable seizures include 3.3 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a tipper truck in Cape Coast with an estimated value of over $350 million, and 320 kilograms of methamphetamine found in a container from Ghana that was declared to contain goods, reportedly worth A$296 million.

These disclosed seizures have raised questions about the effectiveness of Ghana's scanning, profiling, and enforcement systems. Rev. Ntim Fordjour argued that such incidents should not be treated as isolated cases and called for a comprehensive investigation into the assembly, inspection, and clearance of the consignments. The proposed ad hoc committee aims to examine the roles of various state agencies, shipping lines, freight forwarders, and clearing agents, as well as the financing and organization behind the consignments.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour also questioned why the financiers behind the Pedu Junction cocaine case, involving three accused persons, had not been identified despite the incident occurring 18 months ago. He stressed that large consignments of cocaine could not be moved by drivers and assistants alone, suggesting the investigation should extend beyond the allegedly involved operational level.

The Minority warned that repeated drug trafficking incidents could lead to perceptions of Ghana becoming a transit point for international drug networks and suggested that the committee could recommend institutional reforms to strengthen the country's anti-narcotics controls. The committee, if established, would have powers to summon witnesses and demand documents, with proceedings generally conducted publicly, unless national security considerations warranted otherwise.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour urged both sides of Parliament to support the inquiry, emphasizing that drug trafficking is a national security and public health concern, not a partisan issue. The Minority also called on the government to address ongoing teacher strikes and condemned the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) officers, raising concerns about the rule of law.