The Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, has called for an independent, bipartisan parliamentary investigation into multiple cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, raising concerns about the government’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and strengthen national security.
The former Deputy Finance Minister said repeated interceptions of suspected cocaine shipments in Ghana and abroad point to possible weaknesses in the country’s anti-narcotics operations and raise questions about accountability within the security system.
In a Facebook statement, Osei-Asare cited several reported cocaine seizures in Pedu, Takoradi and Tema, as well as Ghana-linked shipments intercepted in Australia, Dunkirk and Beirut, Lebanon.
She particularly questioned the circumstances surrounding the recent Beirut seizure, where Lebanese Customs reportedly intercepted 46.7 kilogrammes of cocaine. However, Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) estimated the quantity at approximately 40 kilogrammes.
The Atiwa East MP questioned how many more international drug trafficking incidents would occur before the government provided Ghanaians with comprehensive answers.
Her concerns follow assurances by Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak on October 20 that the government was strengthening airport screening and introducing additional security checks at Ghana’s entry and exit points to prevent illicit drug trafficking.
However, Osei-Asare questioned the effectiveness of these measures following the latest reported cocaine interception in Lebanon.
She also raised concerns about NACOC’s description of the Beirut operation as a “controlled delivery”, particularly because investigations were reportedly ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices believed to be in Ghana.
The MP questioned why details of the operation were made public while alleged accomplices remained at large, and demanded clarification on who organised and financed the shipment.
Osei-Asare further called for updates on previous cocaine trafficking investigations, insisting that the Mahama administration must be held accountable for the results of its anti-drug operations.
She maintained that an independent parliamentary inquiry would help establish the facts, identify possible security lapses and strengthen Ghana’s fight against international drug trafficking.
Source: newsthemegh.com