Mahama orders security agencies to make Ghana’s ports ‘ironclad’ against drug trafficking

President John Mahama has directed Ghana’s security agencies to strengthen security at the country’s ports and make them “ironclad” against drug trafficking.

Government spokesperson and Abura Asebu-Kwamankese MP Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the directive followed concerns over drug consignments leaving Ghana and subsequently being intercepted by authorities in other countries.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Ofosu said President Mahama convened an urgent meeting of security agencies about two weeks ago to address weaknesses and improve coordination at the ports.

“It is an expression of the president’s concern that he convened that urgent meeting two weeks ago, involving various security agencies that are supposed to work together to make our ports safe or our ports so ironclad that this sort of activity does not take place,” he said.

The government’s position comes amid a Minority motion seeking the recall of Parliament to discuss concerns over claims that Ghana is becoming a drug transit hub.

The Minority has cited a series of drug seizures and trafficking cases in calling for Parliament to examine Ghana’s role in the international drug trade.

Ofosu rejected descriptions of Ghana as a “cocaine coast” or a drug transit hub, arguing that drug-related arrests and seizures by the Ghana Police Service and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that the country has become a trafficking hub.

“So, if there are 12 cases, and two of them involve transhipment, or if you like exports of drugs outside of Ghana, you don’t put everything together and say Ghana is a volcano,” he said.

He argued that seizures and arrests by state institutions demonstrate that agencies established to combat drug trafficking are carrying out their responsibilities.

“What does NACOC exist to do? To apprehend and prevent drug trafficking, not so, or drug use, illegal drug use, for that matter,” he said.

However, Ofosu acknowledged that drug consignments that evade security checks in Ghana and are subsequently intercepted abroad remain a concern.

“Therefore, those that escaped the scrutiny of law enforcement in Ghana and find their way abroad are those that are worrying,” he said.

According to Ofosu, President Mahama has consequently directed the security agencies operating at the ports to improve coordination and information-sharing.

He said one of the key concerns identified during the meeting was rivalry among agencies responsible for activities at Ghana’s ports.

“I sat in the meeting, and it was clear from what transpired that there is some, if you like, tough battle between or among the various agencies. Each of them is trying to assert their supremacy over the ports, and so sometimes they don’t share information,” he said.

Ofosu said the President wants the agencies to end the rivalry and work collaboratively to strengthen port security.

“So the president says, ‘Okay, I want an end to this turf battle. You must share information. You must collaborate. Bring me a road map that shows you are doing these, among other things necessary to ensure this will happen,’” he said.

He added that President Mahama had made it clear that Ghana must not become a transit route for international drug trafficking.

“Indeed, the President was clear that he will not tolerate Ghana’s borders becoming a transit point for drug trafficking,” Ofosu said.

According to the government spokesperson, the deadline given to the security agencies to submit their roadmap was expected to expire within days.

The directive comes as Ghana faces increased scrutiny over drug seizures linked to consignments originating from or passing through the country, with authorities under pressure to strengthen coordination and prevent illicit shipments from leaving Ghana undetected.