A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Adarkwah, has called on the government to take urgent steps to strengthen security at Ghana’s ports and prevent the country from being associated with international drug trafficking.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s Nkosuo Nsem with host Kofi Sekyi, Mr. Adarkwah said the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France had attracted international attention and raised concerns about Ghana’s image abroad.
French customs authorities intercepted the cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026. The drugs, estimated to be worth about €225 million, were concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana, with part of the consignment reportedly destined for Antwerp, Belgium.
Mr. Adarkwah said the scale of the shipment was alarming and argued that the development could have consequences for Ghanaians travelling outside the country, particularly if international authorities begin subjecting travellers from Ghana to increased scrutiny.
He therefore urged President John Dramani Mahama to direct government appointees and heads of the various security agencies operating at the country’s ports to strengthen their operations and improve efforts to prevent narcotics from leaving Ghana.
His comments come amid calls from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference for urgent and coordinated action to tackle drug trafficking and abuse in the country.
In a statement signed by the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Bishops said the Dunkirk seizure should prompt investigations into how such a large consignment allegedly passed through legitimate commercial channels.
The Conference called for stronger coordination among the Ghana Police Service, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Customs, port authorities, the judiciary and schools.
It also urged Ghana to deepen cooperation with international agencies, including INTERPOL and Europol, to investigate transnational drug networks and locate wanted persons.
The Bishops further called for stronger drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes, as well as greater involvement of churches, families and communities in addressing drug abuse, particularly among young people.
The Conference said the drug menace had become a serious national concern requiring sustained and coordinated action rather than being treated solely as a criminal matter.
Meanwhile, investigations into the Dunkirk shipment are ongoing, with Ghanaian authorities working with international partners to establish how the consignment allegedly left the country. Several suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the case, although they remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
By: Bernard Mensah
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