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[INTERNATIONAL] · Ghana, France · 27 sources

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Part of situation: Ghana national security challenges and narcotics trafficking (8 clusters)

Ghana Parliament recalled amid major narcotics seizure crisis

narcotics trafficking cocaine seizure Ghana Parliament national security maritime surveillance

Ghana is facing intense political and social pressure following a series of major narcotics seizures linked to the country. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the government of allowing Ghana to become a “Cocaine Coast,” demanding the immediate removal of heads from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Ghana Shippers’ Authority, and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. The NPP claims the street value of intercepted drugs between 2025 and 2026 exceeds US$1 billion.

In response to these security concerns, Speaker Alban Bagbin has summoned Parliament for an unscheduled sitting on September 29, 2026. The Minority in Parliament petitioned for this emergency session to scrutinize port security, customs controls, and the effectiveness of national intelligence and narcotics enforcement systems.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has also joined the call for action, describing the drug menace as a “profound moral crisis” that threatens the nation’s security and youth. They specifically highlighted a recent seizure in Dunkirk, France, where nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine were found in a container originating from Ghana.

While the Ghana Maritime Authority has refuted claims that its vessel monitoring systems are non-functional, the political debate continues to escalate, with accusations of official complicity and political sabotage surrounding the illicit trade.

Entities

Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin · Dunkirk · France · Ghana · Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference · Ghana Maritime Authority · Ghana Revenue Authority · John Dramani Mahama · Narcotics Control Commission · New Patriotic Party

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 8 SOURCES] French customs intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a container of plastic waste arriving from Ghana at Dunkirk. www.todaygh.com · rainbowradioonline.com · kessbenonline.com
  • [● 7 SOURCES] The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference called for a coordinated national strategy to combat drug trafficking and abuse. www.todaygh.com · www.aciafrica.org
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Four Ghanaians were arraigned before the Accra High Court on September 16 regarding conspiracy to export narcotic drugs. rainbowradioonline.com
  • [● 4 SOURCES] President John Dramani Mahama established an inter-agency task force to address narcotic drug movement through Ghana's borders. www.todaygh.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The 2025 ENACT Organised Crime Index identified state-embedded actors as the primary category of organized crime in Ghana.
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The IERPP has called for tightened border controls to prevent international narcotics trafficking networks from exploiting port vulnerabilities.
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The Minority Caucus in Parliament petitioned Speaker Alban Bagbin for an emergency sitting to address national security concerns following major drug seizures. rainbowradioonline.com · ghananewss.com
  • [● 6 SOURCES] The NPP alleges that clandestine drug-processing laboratories are operating within Ghana to process narcotics for export. kessbenonline.com · www.gbcghanaonline.com · abcnewsgh.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The estimated street value of the narcotics intercepted in 12 cases recorded between 2025 and September 2026 exceeds US$1 billion. abcnewsgh.com · kessbenonline.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s establishment of an inter-agency task force to address drug trafficking. www.todaygh.com · newscenta.com · www.aciafrica.org
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Ten individuals, including four Customs Division officers, are in custody regarding the investigation into the 3.9-tonne cocaine seizure in France. www.mynewsgh.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The NPP has requested a bipartisan parliamentary committee to investigate 12 narcotics-related cases recorded between 2025 and September 2026. abcnewsgh.com

Sources

Bagbin Recalls Parliament Sept 29 Amid Cocaine Pressure [chale.news]
PAG Calls for Ghana to ‘Follow the Drugs and Follow the Money’ Amid Narcotics Seizures [metrotvonline.com]
Ghana Maritime Authority refutes Miracles Aboagye's claim that vessel monitoring system is down [onuaonline.com]
'Cocaine Coast Vrs Gold Coast': Why Gov't Must Also Intensify Efforts on Gold Smuggling [thehighstreetjournal.com]
Ghana Maritime Authority Refutes Claims That Vessels In Ghana's Waters Aren't Monitored [opemsuo.com]
Parliament Recall: Ntim Fordjour expects emergency sitting over drug-trafficking crisis [ghananewss.com]
Drug crisis: Catholic Bishops, NPP demand probe [newscenta.com]
5 Arrested as Police Raid Tamale Scrap Area Over Suspected Drug Activities [thepressradio.com]
NPP Demands Removal of NACOC, GMA, Shippers Authority Heads Over Narcotics Cases [abcnewsgh.com]
NPP Accuses Government Of Turning Ghana Into “Cocaine Coast”, Demands Immediate Sack Of Security Chiefs [kessbenonline.com]
Minority demands emergency Parliamentary recall over alleged 3. 9-tonne cocaine seizure [rainbowradioonline.com]
Police arrest five, seize pistols, narcotics in Tamale scrap area raid [oyerepafmonline.com]
Government Spokesperson Has No Mandate On Drug Matter — Ntim Fordjour [thevaultznews.com]
Why Rashid Tanko Says ‘Political Saboteurs’ Are Behind Drug Trade Claims [ghananewspage.com]
NPP demands removal of officials over drug trafficking concerns [www.gbcghanaonline.com]
Catholic Bishops in Ghana Decry Escalating Drug Menace as Threat to Moral Fabric, Urge Immediate Action [www.aciafrica.org]
Bagbin recalls Parliament for 29 September sitting amid cocaine seizure concerns [asaaseradio.com]
Bagbin summons Parliament for urgent sitting on September 29 [starrfm.com.gh]
Catholic Bishops Demand Crackdown On Drug Trafficking [dailyguidenetwork.com]
It is the 'dumbest' of all arguments - Bawumia’s Spokesperson rejects claims NPP enabled cocaine trade [3news.com]
'I suspect sabotage' - Mustapha Gbande on Ghana-linked drug seizures [www.adomonline.com]
AFRICA/GHANA - Il Ghana sta diventando un hub della cocaina: l’allarme dei Vescovi [www.fides.org]
2 arrested over GH¢30,000 bribe attempt [ghanaiantimes.com.gh]
IERPP calls for tighter Ghana border controls over rising narcotics threat [theghanareport.com]
We need a national rehabilitation strategy – Dr Inusah on Ghana’s drug fight [www.mynewsgh.com]
Catholic Bishops back new anti-drug task force - Today News Ghana [www.todaygh.com]
Majority calls for stronger collaboration among security agencies to fight drug trafficking in Ghana [www.myjoyonline.com]