We were declared a drug trafficking hub under NPP gov’t in 2008 – Dafeamekpor

South Dayi MP and Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has referenced historical US government reports on Ghana’s narcotics trade to push back against claims that the country’s drug trafficking challenges are solely a recent development.

In a social media post, Dafeamekpor recalled the 2008 seizure of 399 parcels of cocaine at Nsawam and cited a January 2009 US Department of State report on Ghana’s role in international drug trafficking.

He wrote, “We were declared a drug trafficking hub under an Npp Govt in 2008.”

The MP also reproduced a section of the US report which 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.”

The 2008 US International Narcotics Control Strategy Report similarly identified Ghana as a significant transshipment point for cocaine and heroin, citing the Kotoka International Airport, ports and some border posts as trafficking routes.

Dafeamekpor’s comments come amid renewed political debate over recent narcotics cases involving Ghana.

On September 10, 2026, French customs authorities seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the port of Dunkirk in a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana.

The cocaine was estimated to be worth about €225 million. Four Ghanaians have since been remanded by an Accra High Court over their alleged involvement in the shipment, while a Dutch national named Jos Leijdekkers, alias “Bolle Jos”, is reportedly at large.

The latest development came on September 20, when South African police arrested a 52-year-old South African man at OR Tambo International Airport after he arrived from Accra.

Police said his luggage contained bullet-like objects and blocks of substances suspected to be heroin worth more than R2 million.

The arrest was reportedly the third suspected drug-mule case recorded at OR Tambo in three weeks. The suspect is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on drug-trafficking-related charges.

Dafeamekpor also pointed to the 2008 Nsawam case, in which police intercepted a vehicle carrying 399 parcels of suspected cocaine concealed beneath cow hide. Three people were arrested and later prosecuted.