President Mahama Reinstates NACOC Port Inspections as Parliament Moves for Emergency Inquiry into Billion-Dollar Narcotics Crisis

Ghana’s national security and international reputation are under intense scrutiny following a series of massive narcotics seizures linked to the country’s ports, totaling over $1 billion in value over the last two years. The crisis reached a boiling point after French customs officials at the Port of Dunkirk intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at approximately €225 million ($260 million), concealed within a shipment of plastic waste originating from Ghana. This incident, alongside a 3.3-tonne seizure at Pedu Junction, has sparked a nationwide outcry for institutional accountability and a comprehensive investigation into the criminal networks facilitating these high-volume shipments.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Minority in Parliament, led by Rev. Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, has successfully gathered signatures from more than 15% of Members of Parliament to trigger an emergency recall of the House under Article 112(3) of the Constitution. Rev. Fordjour has warned that the drug trade is inextricably linked to money laundering and terrorism, urging his colleagues to prioritize national interest over partisan politics. The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has specifically called for a bipartisan inquiry to review 2018 reforms that limited the Narcotics Control Commission’s (NACOC) physical inspection roles, questioning the effectiveness of current port security protocols.

The religious and political landscape has also reacted strongly to the scandal. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, through President Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, has demanded that authorities arrest and prosecute all involved individuals, emphasizing that no political or social status should shield traffickers from the law. Meanwhile, the Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG) has urged investigators to "follow the money," looking beyond the couriers to identify the powerful financiers behind the operations. Public concern has been further fueled by reports of corruption, including the recent arrest of two suspects who allegedly attempted to bribe a police commander with GH₵30,000 to secure the release of a truck containing suspected narcotics.

President John Mahama has taken immediate executive action to address the security lapses by reinstating joint container inspections involving NACOC at the nation's ports. While the President’s move is seen as a vital first step, political figures like Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi and Mustapha Gbande of the NDC have warned that the nation’s global standing is at stake if Ghana is perceived as a primary transit hub for international drug cartels. The upcoming emergency parliamentary sitting is expected to serve as a critical platform for demanding transparency from security chiefs and establishing a task force to restore the integrity of Ghana’s borders.