The Minority in Parliament is demanding that the government publish full and verifiable data on narcotics seizures, arrests and prosecutions recorded in Ghana since January 2025.
The demand was made by the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, ahead of Parliament’s emergency sitting on Tuesday, September 29, following a petition by the Minority over a series of major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana.
The latest case involves the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French Customs at the Port of Dunkirk on September 10.
The consignment was reportedly shipped from Ghana, raising questions about the systems used to process, inspect and clear containers leaving the country.
Speaking ahead of the emergency sitting, Rev. Fordjour called on the Executive to make the information available in real time and from primary sources.
“We call on the executive to publish in real time with primary sourcing full and verifiable data on every narcotic seizure, arrest, prosecutions since January 2025, so that we no longer learn the state of our own borders from foreign customs officers,” he said.
He said Parliament’s scrutiny should focus on institutional and systemic issues, including the possible involvement of state agencies, without prejudging cases currently before the courts.
“It will also look into the role and actions of possible complicity of state agencies,” he added.
Rev. Fordjour maintained that any committee established by Parliament would have the authority to summon witnesses and demand documents, with proceedings conducted publicly unless national security considerations require otherwise.
He said Parliament had a constitutional responsibility to demand answers rather than simply wait for investigations being conducted by the Executive.
“Parliament is not a spectator in this matter,” he said. “The Constitution gives it the power to appoint committees, to summon and to demand answers.”
The Minority says making the data publicly accessible would allow Ghanaians to better assess the country’s record in combating narcotics trafficking and enforcing its drug laws.
