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8 clusters · 41 sources · 48 days · First seen 2 months ago · Last updated 27 days ago

Ghana national security challenges and narcotics trafficking

Overview

Ghana continues to face intense political and social scrutiny regarding narcotics trafficking and maritime security. Following the seizure of 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in Dunkirk, France, originating from a Ghanaian container, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the government of allowing the nation to become a ‘Cocaine Coast’. The NPP has demanded the dismissal of leadership at the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, while calling for a bipartisan parliamentary committee to investigate 12 narcotics-related cases recorded between 2025 and September 2026, which have an estimated street value exceeding US$1 billion. In response, President John Mahama has authorized the recruitment of 1,200 additional agents for NACOC.

Recent scrutiny has focused on port security protocols after it was revealed that containers linked to drug seizures had passed through scanning processes without detection. Alexander Twum-Barimah, Deputy Director-General of NACOC, clarified that only Customs officers and Meridian Port Services (MPS) officials are permitted in port scanning rooms.

Expanding on the complexity of trafficking methods, Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka reported that cannabis traffickers are increasingly using ambulances and bullion vans to transport illegal substances. To combat illegal cultivation, the government is intensifying operations, including the destruction of cannabis farms. Muntaka noted a historical lack of specialized narcotics detection equipment, which previously forced personnel to rely on physical inspections. He also encouraged illegal growers to transition into the legal economy by forming cooperatives to cultivate approved industrial or medicinal cannabis, provided the THC content remains below 0.3 per cent.

Entities

Narcotics Control Commission · Ghana · John Dramani Mahama · Musah Attah · 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.
[● 7 SOURCES] The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference called for a coordinated national strategy to combat drug trafficking and abuse.
[● 6 SOURCES] The NPP alleges that clandestine drug-processing laboratories are operating within Ghana to process narcotics for export.
[● 5 SOURCES] The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) arrested three suspects in Ghana linked to the ‘Bolle Jos’ trafficking network.
[● 5 SOURCES] The cocaine shipment intercepted in Dunkirk, France, is valued at approximately $260 million.
[● 5 SOURCES] Ten individuals are currently in custody in connection with drug trafficking investigations, including four officers from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
[● 5 SOURCES] Police arrested five suspects and seized firearms, ammunition, and various narcotics during an operation at the Tamale Aboabo Scrap Area on September 21, 2026.
[● 5 SOURCES] High-profile cocaine seizures linked to Ghana over the past two years are estimated to exceed US$1 billion in value.
[● 4 SOURCES] President John Dramani Mahama directed the formation of an inter-agency task force to prevent narcotics trafficking through Ghana’s borders.
[● 4 SOURCES] The inter-agency task force must submit a detailed roadmap outlining measures to address border and port security vulnerabilities within two weeks.

Timeline

27 days ago

[CRIME] 6 sources
Ghana Interior Minister reports cannabis traffickers using ambulances and bullion vans
Ghana's Interior Minister reports traffickers are using ambulances to move cannabis and urges illegal growers to form cooperatives to join the regulated industrial cannabis market.
about 1 month ago

[CRIME] 4 sources
Ghana Narcotics Commission denies cocaine suspect was presidential guard
Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission denied that suspects in the Dunkirk cocaine seizure, including Musah Attah, were members of the presidential or vice-presidential security details.
about 1 month ago

[CRIME] 12 sources
Ghana strengthens anti-drug measures amid port security scrutiny
Ghana is strengthening its fight against drug trafficking by recruiting 1,200 NACOC agents and calling for better inter-agency coordination following security lapses at ports.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Ghanaian leaders linked to cocaine bust suspect in new photos
Photographs linking a €225m cocaine bust suspect to Ghanaian leaders Mahama and Opoku-Agyemang have surfaced, challenging official denials of ties to the presidential security detail.
about 2 months ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 27 sources
Ghana Parliament recalled amid major narcotics seizure crisis
Ghana's Parliament has been recalled for an emergency sitting following major cocaine seizures linked to the country. The NPP and Catholic Bishops are demanding accountability and a crackdown on drug networks.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 6 sources
Ghanaian MPs urge action against drug trafficking and illegal mining
Ghanaian MPs are urging the government to tackle drug trafficking and illegal mining through concrete action rather than partisan politics, citing recent major international drug seizures linked to the country.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 22 sources
Ghana forms task force to combat drug trafficking after major cocaine seizure
President Mahama has formed an inter-agency task force to combat drug trafficking in Ghana following a major cocaine seizure in France and the arrest of several individuals, including four customs officers.
2 months ago

[POLITICS] 11 sources
Ghana National Security Coordinator warns of evolving political vigilantism
Ghana's National Security Coordinator warns that political vigilante groups are rebranding and moving to encrypted chats, calling for real-time agency coordination and stricter enforcement of Act 999.

Sources

3news.com · abcnewsgh.com · aciafrica.org · adomonline.com · asaaseradio.com · ashantireport.com · chale.news · dailyguidenetwork.com · fides.org · gbcghanaonline.com · ghanaguardian.com · ghanaiantimes.com.gh · ghanamaritime.gov.gh · ghanamma.com · ghananewspage.com · ghananewss.com · kessbenonline.com · liberianewsnetwork.com · metrotvonline.com · myjoyonline.com · mynewsgh.com · myrepubliconline.com · nasuba.info · newscenta.com · newsghana24.com · nos.nl · onuaonline.com · opemsuo.com · otecfmghana.com · oyerepafmonline.com · rainbowradioonline.com · sankofaonline.com · sierraleonemonitor.com · starrfm.com.gh · thechronicle.com.gh · theghanareport.com · thehighstreetjournal.com · thepressradio.com · thevaultznews.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · todaygh.com

This summary has been updated 21 times: see revision history