President John Dramani Mahama has directed the formation of an inter-agency task force to develop a comprehensive roadmap to prevent the trafficking of narcotics through Ghana’s borders.
The directive followed an urgent meeting with the country’s security chiefs to review recent cases involving the trafficking of drugs through Ghana’s ports.
A statement issued by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the President received a detailed briefing on investigations into the recent trafficking of narcotics out of the country’s ports.
It said 10 individuals, including four officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), were being held in connection with the investigations.
The meeting, which was chaired by President Mahama, also reviewed the existing structure and security systems at the country’s ports and borders and recommended new measures to strengthen efforts to prevent narcotics trafficking.
President Mahama subsequently directed the inter-agency task force to present a detailed roadmap based on the outcome of the meeting within two weeks.
The directive comes amid heightened attention to Ghana’s role in international narcotics trafficking following recent seizures of drugs linked to shipments originating from Ghana.
The latest developments include the seizure of methamphetamine in Australia from a shipment that originated from Ghana, as well as a separate cocaine seizure in Dunkirk, northern France.
The incidents have renewed concerns about the use of Ghana and other West African countries as transit points for narcotics destined for Europe, Australia and other parts of the world.
The government’s latest response signals a renewed focus on tightening controls at Ghana’s ports and borders and strengthening coordination among the agencies responsible for combating drug trafficking.
The identities of the 10 persons being held and the specific offences for which they are being investigated were not disclosed in the statement.
Mr Ofosu said the investigations were continuing.
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z
