Mahama chairs security meeting on drug trafficking, orders roadmap in two weeks
President John Dramani Mahama today chaired a meeting of security chiefs and received a detailed briefing on investigations into the recent trafficking of drugs through the ports of Ghana.
The President was informed that authorities are holding ten individuals, including four officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), as investigations continue.
The meeting reviewed the existing security structure and systems at the ports and recommended new measures to tighten controls.
Following the briefing, President Mahama directed that an inter-agency task force be constituted to present a detailed roadmap, based on today’s meeting, on measures to prevent drug trafficking through Ghana’s borders within two weeks.
Background
The meeting comes on the back of a recent surge in drug interceptions at France’s ports, including the seizure of a large consignment of cocaine valued at $261 million, which led to the arrest of ten suspects.
The development has raised concerns about the vulnerability of the country’s entry points and the possible complicity of some officials in facilitating the illicit trade.
The government has in recent weeks intensified efforts to clamp down on drug trafficking, with security agencies mounting enhanced surveillance at the Tema Port, Kotoka International Airport and other border points.
The inter-agency task force is expected to review port security protocols, strengthen collaboration among security agencies, and recommend far-reaching reforms to prevent Ghana from being used as a transit point for narcotics.
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