Omanghana
President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the establishment of an inter-agency task force to develop a detailed strategy for preventing narcotics trafficking through Ghana’s ports and land borders.
The task force has been given two weeks to submit a comprehensive roadmap outlining immediate interventions and long-term reforms needed to strengthen the country’s border security systems.
President Mahama issued the directive following an emergency security meeting at the Jubilee House over growing concerns about major drug consignments allegedly passing through Ghana’s trade corridors.
The meeting brought together officials from relevant security, intelligence, customs and anti-narcotics institutions to review recent seizures and assess possible weaknesses within the country’s cargo inspection system.
The latest government action follows the interception of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs officials at the Port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
The drugs, reportedly valued at approximately €225 million, equivalent to about $261 million, were concealed in a container carrying plastic waste shipped from Ghana.
The discovery intensified scrutiny of Ghana’s port-security and export-control systems, with questions being raised about how such a large consignment allegedly passed through the country’s inspection processes.
It came after other drug interceptions in Ghana, including the discovery of 866 parcels of a substance suspected to be cocaine hidden in sacks of gari within the Tema Harbour enclave in August.
During the Jubilee House meeting, President Mahama was informed that 10 people had been detained as investigations into suspected drug trafficking through the ports continued.
The detainees reportedly include four officers from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. Their alleged roles remain under investigation, and none of them has been convicted in connection with the case.
The task force will examine weaknesses in cargo screening, port surveillance, intelligence gathering and information sharing among the agencies responsible for protecting Ghana’s borders.
It will also assess the handling of containers from their arrival or entry into port facilities through inspection, clearance and export. This is expected to help authorities identify possible points at which criminal networks could manipulate documentation or evade security checks.
Another priority will be improving coordination among the Ghana Revenue Authority, Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Police Service, National Security and other agencies operating at the country’s ports and borders.
The government expects the final roadmap to recommend immediate preventive measures as well as broader institutional and technological reforms.
These could include tighter inspection procedures, improved container-tracking systems, enhanced intelligence-led profiling and stronger accountability mechanisms for officials involved in cargo processing.
The administration is under pressure to demonstrate that Ghana will not become a transit point for international narcotics syndicates. Beyond the potential damage to the country’s reputation, persistent trafficking could threaten national security, weaken legitimate trade and expose Ghana to increased scrutiny from international partners.
Investigations into the intercepted consignments and suspected port-security breaches remain ongoing. Authorities are also working with international partners to establish the networks behind the shipments and determine how the drugs were moved through the export system.
President Mahama has directed the task force to produce practical recommendations capable of protecting Ghana’s trade corridors while ensuring that legitimate commercial activities are not unnecessarily disrupted.
Source: Omnghana
