Accra:The Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, has raised concerns over the government's commitment to combating drug trafficking after a series of cocaine seizures connected to Ghana. She is advocating for an independent, bipartisan parliamentary investigation into these incidents to address the effectiveness of the country's anti-narcotics operations and the accountability of law enforcement agencies.
According to Ghana Web, Osei-Asare highlighted several cocaine seizures reported in Pedu, Takoradi, and Tema, as well as Ghana-linked shipments intercepted in Australia and Dunkirk. A recent operation in Beirut, Lebanon, saw Lebanese Customs seizing 46.7 kilograms of cocaine, although Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) later reported the quantity as approximately 40 kilograms.
Osei-Asare's calls for transparency follow assurances from Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak to Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on October 20. He stated that measures were being strengthened to prevent drug trafficking at Ghana’s borders, including enhanced airport screening and additional security checks. However, Osei-Asare questioned the effectiveness of these measures in light of the Beirut interception.
Osei-Asare also challenged NACOC’s classification of the Beirut operation as a "controlled delivery" and questioned the rationale behind publicizing the operation while other suspected accomplices remained at large. She demanded clarity on the arrangements to apprehend those behind the shipment, particularly if it was detected and allowed to proceed as part of a controlled strategy.
Furthermore, Osei-Asare insisted on accountability regarding previous investigations, emphasizing the need for the government to provide answers about the individuals and networks involved in the alleged trafficking operations. She criticized the previous administration for claiming credit for coordination efforts without addressing the outcomes of these investigations.