Suspend Ghana- Colombia Shipping Deal – Minority

The Minority Caucus in Ghana's Parliament has called for an immediate suspension of the country's maritime and port cooperation agreement with Colombia, citing escalating concerns over cocaine seizures originating from Ghana. The Caucus also wants the Government to halt the visa-waiver arrangement with Colombia and mandates a nationwide security review of both agreements before they continue.

This demand follows a string of significant cocaine seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana, including a recent haul of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French authorities at the Port of Dunkirk. The Minority Caucus, led by Member of Parliament for Damongo Samuel A. Jinapor, stated that these seizures are unprecedented in Ghana's history and warrant urgent government action.

They argue that the evolving relationship between Ghana and Colombia has become a national security concern, as Colombia remains a primary departure point for cocaine shipments globally. According to the UNODC 2026 World Drug Report, Colombia, alongside Peru and Brazil, was the top departure country for cocaine shipments worldwide between 2020 and 2024.

The Minority Caucus further contends that the new arrangements with Colombia must undergo stringent scrutiny. In March 2026, Ghana and Colombia signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at bolstering maritime connectivity, enhancing logistics, and establishing new trade routes between Latin America and Africa. However, the Minority contends that the agreement necessitates a closer examination in light of the emerging narcotics trafficking issues.

They argue that the development of maritime connectivity between Tema and Cartagena, along with the visa-waiver arrangement, requires the Government to first ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent Ghana from being exploited by international criminal networks. The Caucus demands the suspension of both the maritime and port cooperation agreements and the visa-waiver arrangement, urging a comprehensive national security assessment of the framework before it can continue.