President Mahama Orders "Ironclad" Port Security as Minority Demands Suspension of Colombia Bilateral Deals

President John Mahama has directed Ghana's security agencies to reinforce the nation’s ports following a series of high-profile international narcotics seizures linked to the country. The presidential order for "ironclad" security measures comes in response to an urgent security meeting held to address vulnerabilities at entry points. Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that the President is prioritizing inter-agency collaboration to ensure Ghana does not become a transit hub for global drug trafficking. This executive action follows the alarming seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at €225 million, by French authorities in Dunkirk on September 10, 2026, from a container arriving from Ghana.

In Parliament, the Minority Caucus has reacted to these developments by demanding the immediate suspension of all maritime and visa-waiver agreements with Colombia. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, argued that the maritime cooperation pact signed in March 2026—which connects the ports of Tema and Cartagena—poses a severe national security risk. Citing a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report that identifies Colombia as the world’s leading cocaine shipment origin and ranks Ghana as the fifth-largest country of origin for cocaine seized in Antwerp, the Minority is calling for a comprehensive security review of all bilateral arrangements with the South American nation.

Political tensions escalated after Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin dismissed a Minority motion for a bipartisan inquiry into the recent drug seizures. The Speaker ruled the motion inadmissible, citing potential prejudice to ongoing court cases and judicial proceedings. However, the Minority has criticized this decision as an obstruction of Parliament’s oversight powers, with Jinapor describing the lack of a transparent investigation as a potential "grand cover-up." The Minority insists that an independent inquiry is necessary to scrutinize the efficacy of current surveillance and scanning protocols at the ports, which failed to detect the massive Dunkirk shipment.

While the government has rejected the "Cocaine Coast" label for the country, spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu admitted that "turf wars" and rivalries between security agencies have hindered effective operations at the ports. He acknowledged that competition for control and poor information sharing among enforcement units have created gaps exploited by traffickers. To address this, the government clarified that the Interior Minister is currently investigating specific security officials for inconsistencies in their duties. As the administration works on a new roadmap for port operations, the focus remains on restoring the international reputation of Ghana's trade gateways and ensuring they serve only legitimate commercial interests.