Authorities have intercepted a shipment of opioid drugs valued at approximately GH₵20 million at the Tema Port, preventing their illegal transit to Niger.
The bust was led by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in collaboration with key enforcement agencies.
Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who visited the port following the seizure, reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against the trafficking of illicit substances through Ghana.
“While we remain committed to facilitating trade, Ghana will not become a safe haven or transit route for opioids,” he stressed. “The president is deeply concerned—he personally called me twice on this matter, underscoring its seriousness.”
The intercepted shipment included:
- 26 cartons of Rahol Tapentadol 250 mg
- 160 cartons of Tafradol Tapentadol 120 mg
- 40 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol 120 mg
- 190 cartons of Loperamide 2 mg
- 320 cartons of Chlorpheniramine Maleate
The seizure comes amid growing concerns about the trafficking of opioids through West Africa.
Public Health Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Dr. Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, described the situation as alarming, following a recent BBC exposé on opioid smuggling.
Dr. Asiedu noted that the involvement of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) confirms the drugs entered through Ghana’s ports.
“The fact that the FDA is seizing these products means they made it past Customs. It took NACOC’s intelligence to intercept them. That’s a major concern,” he said.
He called for greater accountability from Customs officials, stressing that all regulated medicines must be flagged for clearance by both the FDA and NACOC.
“This raises serious questions. Customs controls all our entry points—Tema, Takoradi, and Kotoka. We must demand answers,” he emphasised.
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