The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Honourable John Ntim Fordjour, has warned that Ghana’s emergence among countries linked to major cocaine seizures exposes serious vulnerabilities in the country’s security system.

Ghana was ranked the fifth largest country of origin for cocaine seized at Belgium’s Port of Antwerp in 2025, according to Belgian Customs figures, with the country being the only African nation among the top five. The ranking placed Ghana alongside Ecuador, Costa Rica, Brazil and Colombia, although Ghana is not a major cocaine producing country.

Speaking on the development, Honourable Fordjour described the ranking as unfortunate and embarrassing, arguing that it validates concerns he had raised about organised crime and narcotics trafficking. The Assin South MP indicated that warnings made in 2025 were intended to prompt security agencies to investigate suspected trafficking activities and strengthen deterrence.

The Ranking Member alleged that instead of responding to those warnings, authorities turned their attention to him and subjected his family to what he termed as intimidation. He argued that such actions could discourage individuals from raising alarms about organised criminal activities.

“This action signalled to the drug cartels that they have a way of gagging politicians who would not tolerate such activities and protecting those who would rather facilitate the movement of these drugs.”
Honourable John Ntim Fordjour

Directing attention to the international seizures, Honourable Fordjour argued that the publication of narcotics interceptions by foreign authorities has exposed the scale of Ghana linked trafficking activities. He referenced the Australian interception of methamphetamine in June 2025 and the French Customs seizure of cocaine at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.

Referencing the Global Organised Crime Index, the Assin South MP contended that the absence of prominent announcements about major seizures in 2025 did not necessarily mean trafficking activity was absent. He suggested that significant interceptions may not have received the same public exposure before foreign authorities began highlighting Ghana linked cases more prominently.

On the allegations of political protection, Honourable Fordjour stressed that the issue should be treated as a serious national security matter. He further pointed to comments attributed to the Interior Minister regarding reduced confidence among some international intelligence partners in sharing sensitive information with Ghana.

Consequently, the Ranking Member argued that the developments require closer scrutiny of Ghana’s security architecture. He maintained that the country must examine how organised criminal networks operate and whether existing systems are adequately equipped to prevent narcotics trafficking.

Ntim Fordjour Demands Action As Organised Crime Risks Deepen Further

The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Honourable John Ntim Fordjour, has called for concrete action to strengthen Ghana’s security institutions, arguing that repeated warnings and official assurances have not halted the country’s exposure to organised crime.

The Assin South MP explained that he had raised security issues with relevant ministers and heads of agencies on several occasions, both privately and publicly. He noted that those engagements produced assurances, but developments captured in international security assessments indicate that further action remains necessary.

Referencing Ghana’s position in wider security assessments, Honourable Fordjour pointed to the country’s movement from being ranked the second most peaceful country in Africa in 2021 to seventh in 2025 under the Global Peace Index. He argued that the shift should encourage policymakers and security institutions to examine the factors affecting the country’s security standing.

On organised crime, the Ranking Member highlighted the range of criminal activities identified in international assessments, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking and money laundering. He explained that the pattern should be treated as a warning requiring coordinated attention across the security sector.

“That is the wake-up call which all of us need to have. We need to sit around the table, and beyond just commitments and assurances, we need to walk the talk.”
Honourable John Ntim Fordjour

Directing attention to his own earlier intervention, Honourable Fordjour recalled raising an alarm on April 1, 2025, over two flights that he alleged had arrived from Gran Canaria with suspected links to drugs and cash. He argued that the information should have prompted a thorough investigation at the time.

The Ranking Member further criticised the response to his warning, claiming that authorities demanded evidence in a manner he considered impractical. He contended that subsequent international interceptions have provided information that should encourage authorities to revisit the concerns raised at the time.

On intelligence cooperation, Honourable Fordjour referenced claims that some foreign agencies have become reluctant to share sensitive information with Ghana before narcotics shipments are intercepted. He argued that such a situation could weaken Ghana’s ability to prevent trafficking before consignments leave or enter the country.

Furthermore, the Assin South MP urged security institutions to examine the detailed findings contained in organised crime assessments instead of treating individual drug seizures in isolation. He argued that the reports track several criminal markets over time and therefore provide indicators that should inform national security planning.