Alexander Afenyo-Markin calls for media probe into narcotics shipments

Ghanaian Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the media to investigate multi-tonne narcotics shipments linked to the country after Parliament's Speaker blocked a bipartisan inquiry into the matter. Citing Belgian Customs data from the Port of Antwerp, Afenyo-Markin stated that Ghana currently ranks fifth among countries of origin for cocaine entering Belgium. He expressed concern that these security lapses are damaging Ghana's international reputation and causing increased scrutiny and delays for legitimate exporters of timber, cocoa, and cashew.

In separate political developments, Afenyo-Markin and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi engaged in a radio debate regarding Ghana's economic management. Afenyo-Markin raised questions concerning the operations of the Gold Board and discrepancies between the Bank of Ghana’s reference exchange rates and those offered by retail forex bureaux. Gyamfi defended the Gold Board against what he termed unsupported allegations and argued that forex bureau rates naturally differ from interbank reference rates due to operating costs and commercial margins.