••
Minority Caucus Demands Suspension of Ghana-Colombia Agreements Over Escalating Cocaine Seizures
•2 min read•8 sources
The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Ranking Member Samuel A. Jinapor, has called for the immediate suspension of Ghana’s maritime, port, and visa-waiver agreements with Colombia. This urgent demand follows a series of unprecedented cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, which the Caucus argues pose a significant threat to national security. The Minority is pushing for a comprehensive security review of all bilateral arrangements with Colombia, particularly a maritime cooperation pact established in March 2026 that was designed to enhance trade between the ports of Tema and Cartagena.
Concerns have intensified following the release of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2026 World Drug Report, which identifies Colombia as the world’s primary source of cocaine. Data from the report and international law enforcement agencies indicate that Ghana has increasingly become a major transit hub for narcotics. Notably, Ghana is currently ranked as the fifth-largest country of origin for cocaine seized in Antwerp, Belgium. A recent incident in Dunkirk, where French authorities discovered 3.9 tonnes of cocaine valued at €225 million in a container arriving from Ghana, has served as a primary catalyst for this legislative intervention.
Samuel A. Jinapor emphasized that while international trade is essential for economic growth, the integrity of Ghana’s ports must be protected from criminal exploitation. The Minority argues that the current visa-waiver and direct shipping arrangements may be inadvertently facilitating the movement of illicit goods. By allowing easier travel and streamlined shipping routes without sufficient oversight, the Caucus contends that the government is risking Ghana’s international reputation and the security of its borders. They maintain that the country’s gateways should serve legitimate trade interests rather than being used as conduits for global drug cartels.
The demand for a suspension comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over Ghana's narcotics control measures. While a previous motion for an inquiry into drug trafficking issues was recently ruled inadmissible in Parliament, the Minority Caucus remains committed to holding the government accountable. They are urging the administration to prioritize a national-security assessment that ensures all bilateral trade agreements are bolstered by robust anti-trafficking protocols. Until such a review is completed and the risks are mitigated, the Caucus insists that the agreements with Colombia must remain on hold to prevent further damage to Ghana’s global standing.
