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[CRIME] · Ghana · 12 sources

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

Ghana strengthens anti-drug measures amid port security scrutiny

narcotics trafficking port security customs enforcement NACOC cocaine seizure

Ghana is intensifying its efforts to combat narcotics trafficking following recent large-scale cocaine seizures. The Majority Caucus in Parliament has called for enhanced inter-agency collaboration, emphasizing that intelligence sharing between the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Immigration Service is essential to dismantle trafficking networks.

To bolster these efforts, President John Mahama has authorized the recruitment of 1,200 additional agents for NACOC. This move follows scrutiny of port security protocols after it was revealed that containers linked to recent drug seizures had already passed through scanning processes without detection.

Alexander Twum-Barimah, Deputy Director-General of NACOC, disclosed that only Customs officers and Meridian Port Services (MPS) officials are permitted in the port scanning rooms. Customs officers are solely responsible for interpreting scanning images and deciding if a container requires physical inspection. The failure to detect abnormalities in recently seized shipments has led to the arrest of several Customs officers for questioning.

Entities

Alexander Twum-Barimah · Centre for Democratic Movement · Ghana · Ghana Police Service · James Agalga · John Mahama · Meridian Port Services · Narcotics Control Commission · National Democratic Congress · Parliament of Ghana

Claims

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

  • [● 2 SOURCES] President John Mahama has authorized the recruitment of 1,200 additional agents for the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC). www.nasuba.info · abcnewsgh.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Majority Caucus in Parliament is calling for intensified inter-agency collaboration to fight drug trafficking. abcnewsgh.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Customs officers are solely responsible for interpreting images produced by port scanning equipment.
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Only Customs officers and Meridian Port Services (MPS) officials are allowed in the port scanning room.
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Containers involved in recent narcotics seizures had already passed through the scanning process before being discovered.
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Customs officers have been arrested to explain why narcotics were not detected during the scanning process.
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Containers involved in recent narcotics seizures had already passed through the scanning process before drugs were discovered.
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Majority Caucus in Parliament is calling for increased intelligence sharing and coordination between security agencies to fight drug trafficking. abcnewsgh.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Customs officers are solely responsible for interpreting images from port scanning equipment and deciding if containers require further inspection.

Sources

Drug cartels may be seeing Ghana as easy route – Lenin Anane Agyei [www.myjoyonline.com]
No one has said this is the first development – Ntim Fordjour on narcotics crisis [www.mynewsgh.com]
Koku Anyidoho regrets branding Kufuor’s government ‘cocaine coast’ [ghanaguardian.com]
Foreign drug arrests rise under NDC: Stop blaming opposition for your drug mess, joint inspections worked [theghanareport.com]
"Cocaine coast" tag was my idea against Kufuor — Koku Anyidoho [asaaseradio.com]
Majority Leader Questions Nitiwul’s Defence Of NACOC Exclusion From Inspections [thevaultznews.com]
NACOC Admits Agency Was 'Useless' Amid Cocaine Scandal Fallout [chale.news]
Ghana risks gaining notoriety as drug-trafficking hub – Bobby Banson [ghananewss.com]
Sometimes separate controversies collide and stop being separate. Suddenly, they begin speaking to one another- By Kay Cudjoe [sankofaonline.com]
Stop Politicising Cocaine Fight — Charles McCarthy Slams Parliament, Questions Ghana’s Anti-Drug Response [kessbenonline.com]
Ghana : John Mahama ordonne le recrutement de 1 200 agents pour lutter contre le trafic de drogue [www.nasuba.info]
Majority in Parliament Pushes for Stronger Collaboration to Fight Drug Menace [abcnewsgh.com]