Accra:The ongoing controversy surrounding drug trafficking incidents at Ghana's international airport has intensified discussions about the efficacy of the nation's security systems. Charles McCarthy has raised concerns about the focus of blame being placed on the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), suggesting it is misdirected.
According to Ghana Web, McCarthy argues in an opinion piece that the GACL Managing Director should not be solely blamed for security lapses that involve multiple state agencies operating at the airport but not directly under her command. He emphasizes that the public discourse has not adequately differentiated between the responsibilities of airport management and those of security agencies tasked with drug detection and interception.
McCarthy outlines the presence of eight security institutions at Kotoka International Airport, with a combined personnel strength of 1,374. These include 553 officers from the Ghana Immigration Service, 446 from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and 125 from the Narcotics Control Commission, among others. These personnel operate under their respective institutions and ministries, not the direct authority of the GACL MD.
He underscores that these agencies have distinct operational roles, such as intelligence gathering, passenger profiling, and narcotics detection, making it unjust to hold the GACL MD immediately accountable for drug consignments evading detection at the airport. McCarthy's comments come at a time when Ghana's airport security arrangements are under increased scrutiny following revelations of insider involvement in aiding drug traffickers.
Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has disclosed an incident involving a senior airport security officer allegedly assisting a drug trafficker by bypassing normal screening procedures. This event has prompted the introduction of additional checks, including the deployment of police and military canine units to support narcotics detection efforts.
Further, NACOC Director-General Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey has revealed that drug traffickers have been exploiting insider access and studying screening systems to evade detection. These developments have amplified calls for a thorough examination of airport security measures.
In light of these issues, McCarthy insists that accountability should be directed at the agencies and individuals responsible for specific security functions, rather than solely at the GACL MD. He maintains that while the airport's management should not be exempt from scrutiny, it is crucial to hold the right entities accountable for any lapses in security operations.