Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, Former Defence Minister and Vice Chair of the Interior and Defence Committee, Honourable Kofi Amankwa-Manu, has questioned the decision to publicly announce a planned meeting of security agencies to formulate strategies against drug trafficking.
He argued that sensitive operational discussions should be handled discreetly to avoid exposing information that could assist criminal networks.
The Former Defence Minister acknowledged that bringing the heads of relevant institutions together is important in addressing the threat. However, he questioned the need to disclose the meeting publicly when its purpose involves developing strategies against organised drug trafficking.
Turning to the security implications, Honourable Amankwa-Manu explained that traffickers could attempt to discover what is being discussed during such a meeting. He argued that information about planned operational responses could provide criminal networks with an opportunity to adjust their methods.
“The meeting is important, but the meeting does not have to be in the public domain. What we need at this time is the solution and getting the problem solved.”
Honourable Kofi Amankwa-Manu
Reflecting on the role of Government communication, the Atwima Kwanwoma MP argued that authorities do not need to publicly disclose every action being taken to address security threats. He noted that the Government could instruct relevant officials to meet privately and coordinate their response without announcing the operational details.
Referencing the planned engagement, Honourable Amankwa-Manu explained that the Chief of Staff and the President have the authority to convene the relevant agencies when necessary. He suggested that such coordination could take place through private channels while allowing security institutions to work on the required response.
The Former Defence Minister also rejected the suggestion that the planned meeting implies Government has previously done nothing about drug trafficking. He explained that security agencies have been undertaking activities before the latest public discussions about a coordinated response.
According to the MP, the priority should therefore be measurable action capable of disrupting trafficking networks. He argued that public announcements about strategy sessions could serve little operational purpose when the central objective should be to stay ahead of perpetrators.
Addressing the country’s international standing, Honourable Amankwa-Manu expressed concern about the effect of drug trafficking cases on perceptions of Ghanaian travellers. He stressed that Ghana has an image to protect and that citizens should not face suspicion because of the actions of criminal networks.
Drug Trafficking Requires New Intelligence Tactics, Former Defence Minister Argues
Former Defence Minister and Vice Chair of the Interior and Defence Committee, Honourable Kofi Amankwa-Manu, also called for stronger intelligence capacity to confront the growing threat of drug trafficking. He argued that security agencies must continuously update their methods because criminal networks are also changing their strategies.
Honourable Amankwa-Manu described the recent developments as worrying and pointed to comments previously made by the Interior Minister before the Assurances Committee. He noted that the Minister’s suggestion that some people within Government could be connected to such activities requires serious consideration.
Turning to the scale of drug shipments, the Former Defence Minister observed that moving large quantities of narcotics requires significant logistical capacity. He argued that such operations could involve individuals with the resources and influence to facilitate the movement of substantial consignments.
Reflecting on the changing nature of security work, the Atwima Kwanwoma MP stressed that intelligence operations cannot rely on outdated approaches. He explained that criminal networks continually modify their methods to evade detection and therefore require security agencies to remain ahead of emerging tactics.
“Security and intelligence is very dynamic; it is never static. If you are using yesterday’s strategy to combat something today, trust me, some of these guys are really on top of some of these intelligence issues.”
Honourable Kofi Amankwa-Manu
The Former Defence Minister therefore called for sustained investment in training and modern equipment for personnel working within the security and intelligence architecture. He indicated that specialised gadgets and other technological resources are necessary to enable officers to respond effectively to evolving threats.
According to Honourable Amankwa-Manu, personnel must also receive regular training to keep pace with developments in organised crime. He explained that maintaining an effective security system requires continuous learning because the nature of threats changes over time.
Addressing the broader institutional challenge, the Vice Chair of the Interior and Defence Committee cautioned against relying on approaches that belong to earlier periods. He argued that doing so could create opportunities for traffickers to exploit weaknesses within the system.
The MP also referenced issues previously raised by the Minority regarding the country’s response to drug trafficking. He urged authorities to examine those matters critically as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s fight against narcotics.
He further emphasised the importance of protecting Ghana’s international reputation as the country confronts drug-related allegations. For Honourable Amankwa-Manu, effective intelligence, properly equipped personnel and updated operational strategies remain central to tackling sophisticated trafficking networks.
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