Dafeamekpor hits back at NPP, says ‘you cannot win cocaine debate’

Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has argued that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) cannot claim the moral high ground in the ongoing debate over Ghana’s fight against drug trafficking.

In a post on social media, Dafeamekpor cited a series of narcotics seizures and drug-related cases dating back to 2008, including the seizure of nearly 399kg of cocaine at Nsawam.

“NPP CANNOT WIN THE COCAINE DEBATE IN GHANA,” he stated.

He listed several cases between 2017 and 2024, including heroin seizures at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), a 56kg cocaine seizure at Ghana Post in 2018 and other cocaine seizures involving Ghanaian and foreign nationals.

He also referred to a December 2023 cocaine seizure in Belgium involving a Ghanaian, as well as allegations concerning two private jets which he claimed delivered large quantities of cocaine to Ghana.

However, Dafeamekpor presented the claim that the private jets delivered 45 tonnes of cocaine as an allegation, and it was not independently established in the material he cited.

He further pointed to the 2008 seizure of 399kg of suspected cocaine at Nsawam as one of the major narcotics cases in Ghana.

Contemporary reports said police intercepted a truck carrying 399 parcels of cocaine concealed in its cargo at Nsawam in May 2008, with three people arrested in connection with the case.

A 2009 US Department of State report described Ghana as a significant transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly cocaine from South America and heroin from Afghanistan and Pakistan. It said Accra’s Kotoka International Airport was among the routes used for drug trafficking.

The report stated, “Ghana is a transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly cocaine from South America, as well as heroin from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Although Europe is the main destination, drugs also transit to the United States through Accra’s Kotoka International Airport. Drug trafficking is fueling domestic drug consumption. Local use of cannabis, heroin, and cocaine remains a problem.”

Dafeamekpor’s comments come amid a renewed political dispute over recent narcotics seizures linked to consignments from Ghana.

The NPP Minority has called for a parliamentary inquiry, while Dafeamekpor has argued that ongoing investigations by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and the Police should be allowed to proceed.