NPP calls for probe into cocaine seizures
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called for urgent action to halt what it described as a growing drug trafficking menace, warning that the development poses a national security threat.
The party said the increasing number of cocaine-related incidents and seizures raised serious questions about the effectiveness of Ghana’s border, port and airport security systems.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, the National Organiser of the NPP, Mr Henry Nana Boakye, said despite President John Dramani Mahama’s promise to “crack the whip” over security failures, little had been done to deal with officials whose institutions were allegedly implicated in the trafficking activities.
He said the alleged scale of the trafficking was damaging Ghana’s international image and exposing ordinary travellers and legitimate exporters to increased scrutiny because of the country’s association with narcotics.
Mr Boakye cited 12 cocaine-related incidents recorded over an 18-month period, including several major seizures between March and July 2025.
He said one of the cases involved the interception of a tipper truck at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in March 2025, carrying more than 3.3 tonnes of cocaine allegedly concealed under sand and being transported from the Western Region to Accra. The consignment was reportedly valued at more than $350 million.
He also cited the interception of another truck along the Takoradi-Cape Coast Highway, allegedly carrying about 120 slabs of cocaine valued at approximately $150 million.
At the Swissport Cargo Terminal on April 23, 2025, Mr Boakye said the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) intercepted 89.7 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in wooden boxes declared as traditional artefacts and destined for the Netherlands.
He also raised questions about two aircraft from Spain which, according to him, were allegedly linked to narcotics and undeclared United States currency at the Kotoka International Airport.
Mr Boakye further cited concerns surrounding the MV Sankofa and other drug-related cases as evidence of what the party described as weaknesses in the country’s security and border-control systems.
The concerns follow the seizure of 866 parcels of suspected cocaine at a warehouse within the Tema Harbour enclave on August 5, 2026. The consignment, concealed in sacks of gari, was valued at about $6.9 million, according to reports. Four persons were arrested.
Mr Boakye therefore called for the immediate recall of Parliament to examine the circumstances surrounding the seizures and determine how such quantities of narcotics could allegedly move through Ghana’s security and port systems.
He also called for the establishment of a special bipartisan parliamentary committee with powers to summon witnesses and compel state institutions and other relevant parties to produce documents.
He said the hearing should be conducted publicly, arguing that an internal government investigation would not provide the transparency required in a matter involving national security, Ghana’s international reputation and the protection of the youth.
Mr Boakye further alleged that a port official whom the party described as a relative of the Finance Minister had his mandate renewed despite concerns about his performance and the continuing narcotics problem.
He also raised questions about an individual identified as “Musa”, whom he alleged had links to the presidential and vice-presidential security detail and was arrested in connection with cocaine shipments.
BY ENOCH NTIAMOAH SIAW
You can now read the *Ghanaian Times* and *The Spectator* newspapers digitally on [TimesNewsPlus](https://timesnewsplus.com/newspapers).
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
