Accra:The Minority in Parliament has submitted a motion challenging Speaker Alban Bagbin's decision to reject their proposed parliamentary inquiry into drug trafficking activities in Ghana.
According to Ghana Web, the motion was filed by First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu, invoking Standing Order 127 of Parliament’s Standing Orders. The challenge is directed at the Speaker’s ruling, which was delivered on September 29, 2026, and deemed the proposed inquiry inadmissible due to potential prejudice against ongoing criminal proceedings involving 21 individuals in four separate narcotics-related cases.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin expressed concerns over Parliament’s constitutional duty to hold public institutions accountable. At a press briefing prior to Parliament's resumption on November 3, 2026, he clarified that the motion aims to seek clarity on Parliament's oversight powers without challenging the Speaker's authority. Afenyo-Markin emphasized respect for the Speaker's office while questioning the constitutional implications of the ruling.
Afenyo-Markin highlighted major drug seizures linked to Ghana, including a significant incident at the Port of Dunkirk in France on September 7, 2026, where 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at approximately €225 million, were intercepted. He also mentioned similar seizures in Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Sydney, as well as suspected cocaine interceptions in Ghana at locations like Tema Harbour and Pedu Junction. These cases, he argued, expose vulnerabilities in Ghana’s systems for preventing narcotics trafficking.
The Minority Leader insisted that criminal proceedings should not hinder Parliament’s examination of state institutions’ effectiveness in combating drug trafficking. He argued that the proposed inquiry would operate independently of criminal trials and focus on evaluating public institutions' performance, adequacy of laws, and necessary administrative corrections.
The Minority’s proposed inquiry seeks to identify institutional and regulatory weaknesses and recommend measures to prevent Ghana from becoming a transit hub for illicit drugs.