The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused President John Dramani Mahama and the govrnment of failing to demonstrate decisive leadership in tackling the recurring cocaine and narcotics seizures linked to Ghana.
The party contends that the frequency and scale of the interceptions point to a persistent drug trafficking problem requiring urgent presidential intervention.
The NPP’s 2nd Vice Chair, Henry Nana Boakye made the accusation during a press conference, where he cited at least 14 major cocaine and illicit drug busts recorded between March 2025 and October 2026. Mr Boakye estimated the combined street value of the substances at US$1.7 billion, insisting that the scale of the seizures demands a more forceful response from the government.
“The reoccurring interception of cocaine and other narcotic substances originating from Ghana is a great threat to our national security and also a humongous international and reputational embarrassment. This has really dented the image and integrity of our country.”
Henry Nana Boakye
According to Mr Boakye, seven of the 14 interceptions occurred on Ghanaian soil, involving approximately four tonnes of narcotics, while more than 12 tonnes were seized abroad in consignments traced to Ghana. He used the figures to challenge the government’s handling of the situation, insisting that repeated international interceptions have exposed the country to considerable reputational damage.
The 2nd Vice Chair further cited theJune 2025 interception of nearly 4,500 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a wood shipment from Ghana, which he identified as the largest seizure recorded at the port of Amsterdam. He also referenced subsequent interceptions in Antwerp, where 2,829 kilogrammes were discovered in cassava flour shipped from Tema in November 2025, followed by another 1,158 kilogrammes the following month.
In addition, Mr Boakye pointed to the September 2026 seizure of 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in a container declared as plastic waste at Dunkirk, France.
He also cited the arrest of a Syrian national in Beirut on 31 October 2026, after authorities reportedly found 46.7 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession. “This is not a run of bad luck. It is a pattern,” he declared, questioning how consignments of such magnitude could repeatedly move through Ghanaian ports and airports.
Mr Boakye also referenced an Australian seizure involving 320 kilogrammes of illicit drugs concealed in charcoal shipped from Ghana. He insisted that President Mahama must address the situation with urgency, calling for concrete measures to prevent further interceptions and restore confidence in Ghana’s security arrangements.
NPP Demands Muntaka’s Exit Over Ghana Cocaine Busts
Amid the growing number of international narcotics interceptions involving consignments traced to Ghana, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) questioned the tenure of Interior Minister, Honourable Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.
The party believes the reported reluctance to share intelligence with Ghanaian security agencies raises serious questions about the effectiveness and credibility of the country’s anti-drug enforcement institutions.
The NPP’s 2nd Vice Chair, Henry Nana Boakye, challenged the Interior Minister’s continuous stay in office pointing specifically to the September 2026 seizure of 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at Dunkirk, France.
“That alone is a vote of no confidence in Muntaka. That alone is a vote of no confidence in the leadership at Nacoc. That alone is a vote of no confidence at the authorities at the Accra International Airport.”
Henry Nana Boakye
Mr Boakye anchored his criticism in remarks he attributed to the Interior Minister, who reportedly indicated on television that French authorities are unwilling to share intelligence with their Ghanaian counterparts because of suspicions involving possible complicity by government officials. The NPP official added that such an allegation, if accurately represented, warrants an unequivocal response from the government.
Consequently, he questioned why the Interior Minister is in office despite the reported loss of confidence, asserting that the circumstances surrounding the Dunkirk interception demanded accountability at the highest levels of the security establishment.
The 2nd Vice Chair also extended his criticism to the authorities responsible for monitoring Ghana’s ports and airports. He contended that repeated seizures of consignments traced to the country required a thorough examination of the systems intended to prevent narcotics trafficking and identify possible breaches.
Furthermore, Mr Boakye questioned whether trafficking on such a scale could persist without the protection or assistance of individuals responsible for preventing it.
He advanced this position while referring to the pattern of interceptions in Europe and other international destinations. “The French authorities are saying that they can believe that there is some government official complicit in these matters,” he remarked.
He insisted that the government must confront the allegations and demonstrate that Ghana’s anti-narcotics institutions can be trusted to discharge their responsibilities.
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