Ghanaian lawmakers urge cancellation of Colombia shipping deal over drug trafficking risks

Members of Ghana’s Parliament are calling for the suspension or cancellation of a maritime shipping agreement with Colombia, citing significant national security risks related to cocaine trafficking.

The agreement, signed in March 2026, establishes a direct shipping route between the Port of Tema in Ghana and the Port of Cartagena in Colombia. While government officials promoted the corridor as a means to strengthen economic ties and foster growth between Africa and Latin America, opposition lawmakers argue the route could be exploited by drug traffickers.

Lawmakers cited a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report identifying Colombia as a primary source of global cocaine production. Concerns were also raised regarding Ghana’s ability to monitor shipments effectively, given its porous borders and limited security resources. Critics noted that bypassing traditional transit points in Europe could complicate inspection processes. Additionally, some members pointed to previous reports ranking Ghana as a significant country of origin for cocaine seizures in European ports.