President Mahama Orders Port Security Review as Ghana Ranks Fifth in Antwerp Cocaine Seizures

Ghana has been ranked as the fifth-largest country of origin for cocaine seized at the port of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2025, according to a report by Belgian customs. The findings mark Ghana as the only African nation among the top five sources, a list otherwise dominated by Latin American countries such as Ecuador, Brazil, and Colombia. Total cocaine seizures at the Antwerp port reached nearly 55 tonnes in 2025, representing a 24% increase from the previous year. While cocaine is not produced in Ghana, authorities noted that the illicit substance is increasingly being concealed within legitimate Ghanaian exports, primarily moving through the port of Tema.

In response to these international reports and recent domestic interceptions, President John Mahama has convened a high-level security meeting and ordered a comprehensive review of the nation's narcotics detection systems. An inter-agency task force has been established to develop more robust measures against trafficking. The Narcotics Control Commission has expressed concern that Ghana's role is evolving from a mere transit point into a distribution hub, fueled by rising local consumption and more sophisticated smuggling networks. This shift has prompted a call for greater vigilance and improved intelligence sharing to combat the growing narcotics trade.

The integrity of port security remains a critical concern, with several recent high-profile arrests and court cases highlighting potential insider threats. At the Kwabenya Circuit Court, Judge Prince Osei Owusu recently denied bail to six individuals, including officials from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in connection with a 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment destined for France. Investigations revealed that the containers were cleared for export at Tema Port despite anomalies detected during the scanning process. The judiciary cited concerns over the defendants' likelihood to stand trial and the potential for interference in the ongoing investigation as reasons for the bail denial.

Beyond narcotics, the GRA has also reported a rise in illegal firearms smuggling. Customs officers at Tema Port recently intercepted an assault rifle, two pistols, and 610 rounds of ammunition concealed within personal effects shipped from the United States. Florence Asante, the GRA's Deputy Commissioner for Communications and Public Affairs, confirmed that surveillance has been intensified at all entry and exit points. The GRA has warned all importers that concealing restricted items without the necessary permits will lead to immediate prosecution, as the government seeks to restore international confidence in Ghana's maritime and trade security protocols.