Drug trafficking concerns require urgent parliamentary attention – Catholic Bishops

By: Eugene Dogbatse Atsu
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has endorsed calls for Parliament to reconvene and examine Ghana’s handling of a reported 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment linked to the country.

The support follows a petition by the Minority in Parliament urging the Speaker to recall the House from recess. The Minority maintains that the matter raises significant national security concerns and requires immediate parliamentary scrutiny to establish the facts and assess the response of state institutions.

Describing the proposed oversight as necessary, the Bishops said Parliament has a responsibility to thoroughly examine the issue and ensure accountability from the agencies involved.

“Parliamentary oversight in this matter is legitimate and necessary,” the Conference stated, stressing that the matter should receive urgent attention.

The Bishops further urged lawmakers to treat the issue as a national concern rather than a political contest, warning against attempts to use the debate for partisan advantage.

“We urge that any sitting proceed without delay, with the sobriety proper to a matter of this gravity rather than partisan point-scoring, and that every institution cooperate fully and transparently,” the statement said.

According to the Conference, agencies responsible for border security, ports management, customs administration and intelligence gathering must be prepared to explain the measures in place to prevent narcotics trafficking and how those systems are functioning.

The Bishops specifically pointed to the Ministers for the Interior, Transport and National Security, as well as the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

They argued that a transparent review of the incident would help strengthen public confidence in state institutions and demonstrate the country’s commitment to tackling organised crime.

“The relevant institutions must cooperate fully and transparently,” the Bishops emphasized, calling for openness throughout the process.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has instructed security agencies to develop a strategy aimed at improving coordination among institutions involved in the fight against drug trafficking.