Ghana strengthens border security following $819m drug seizures

Ghana is facing increased scrutiny as a transit corridor for international drug trafficking networks. Between 2025 and 2026, major seizures involving cocaine and methamphetamine reached an estimated street value of approximately US$819 million. These include US$350 million in cocaine seized within Ghana in March 2025, US$208 million in methamphetamine intercepted in Australia in 2026, and nearly US$261 million in cocaine seized in France in 2026.

The scale of these shipments suggests that international cartels may be exploiting Ghana’s ports, transport networks, and legitimate commercial channels to consolidate and export narcotics not produced locally.

In response, President John Mahama has convened a high-level meeting at Jubilee House to address vulnerabilities in border security and narcotics control. The meeting aims to bring together maritime security, customs, and intelligence agencies to review cargo and passenger screening systems, improve intelligence-sharing, and deploy new technologies to disrupt trafficking through the country’s ports, airports, and land borders.