Mahama summons security, port agencies over Ghana’s narcotics trafficking threat

President John Dramani Mahama has directed key security, border management and narcotics-control institutions to meet and develop stronger measures to prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs through Ghana.

The high-level meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at the Jubilee House in Accra.

According to an invitation issued by the Office of the President on Monday, September 14, the meeting will focus on strengthening security at Ghana’s ports, airports and land borders.

The discussions will assess existing vulnerabilities, intelligence-sharing arrangements, cargo and passenger screening systems, inter-agency coordination and the use of technology to detect and disrupt narcotics trafficking.

Participants have also been asked to assess existing security gaps and propose practical measures to improve surveillance, screening and joint enforcement operations.

The invitation states that participants should “provide a brief assessment of existing security gaps and propose practical measures to improve intelligence sharing, surveillance, screening, and joint enforcement operations.”

The Presidency has directed the heads of the invited institutions to attend personally, accompanied by no more than one relevant technical officer.

“Given the urgency and national-security implications, your personal attendance is required,” the invitation said.

Among the institutions invited are the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Navy, National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana Police Service-CID/INTERPOL, Narcotics Control Commission and Ghana Airports Company Limited.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of a major cocaine seizure in France involving a shipment from Ghana.

French authorities recently intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at about €225 million (US$261.45 million), at the port of Dunkirk. The drugs were concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana.

The development has raised renewed concerns about the use of Ghana as a transit route for international narcotics trafficking.

In Ghana, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) on September 14 announced the arrest of three suspects allegedly linked to Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos”. The suspects are assisting investigators as their alleged roles in the trafficking operation are examined.