By Issah Olegor
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the formation of an inter-agency task force to develop a comprehensive roadmap aimed at preventing the trafficking of narcotic drugs through Ghana’s borders, following a high-level security meeting on recent drug trafficking cases involving the country’s ports.
The directive was issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after President Mahama chaired an urgent meeting with the country’s security chiefs and received a detailed briefing on investigations into the recent movement of narcotics out of Ghana. The latest arrest of cocaine originating from Tema Port in France estimated at street value of $261.45 million prompted the crunch meeting. Previous arrests had been carried out in other jurisdictions.
According to the Presidency, the meeting focused on the circumstances surrounding recent cases in which drugs were trafficked as cargo through Ghana’s ports, as well as weaknesses that may exist within the structures and security systems responsible for monitoring cargo and preventing illicit shipments.
A major development disclosed after the meeting is that 10 individuals are currently being held in connection with the investigations.
The suspects include four officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), whose alleged involvement has now become part of the ongoing investigations.
The Presidency did not disclose the identities of the individuals being held or provide details of the specific allegations against each of them. It also stressed that investigations are continuing.
The involvement of serving Customs officers places renewed attention on the systems used to screen and clear cargo at Ghana’s borders and ports, particularly amid a series of major narcotics interceptions linked to shipments originating from or passing through Ghana.
Security Chiefs Brief President
President Mahama’s meeting with the security chiefs comes against the backdrop of growing concern over the scale and sophistication of recent narcotics trafficking cases associated with Ghana.
Recent seizures cited in reports have involved large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine concealed in commercial consignments, including cargo such as gari, charcoal and plastic waste.
Some of the consignments were intercepted outside Ghana, including by foreign law-enforcement authorities, highlighting the international nature of the trafficking networks under investigation.
The President was consequently briefed on the investigations and the existing security architecture at Ghana’s ports and borders.
The meeting reviewed the structure and security systems currently in place, with participants identifying areas requiring additional action.
Rather than limiting the response to individual arrests, the meeting recommended broader institutional and operational measures designed to strengthen the country’s ability to detect and prevent narcotics trafficking.
Two-Week Deadline
Following the briefing, President Mahama directed that an inter-agency task force be established to translate the recommendations from the meeting into a detailed plan of action.
The task force has been given two weeks to present a comprehensive roadmap outlining measures to prevent the trafficking of drugs through Ghana’s borders.
The roadmap is expected to emerge from the issues and recommendations considered during Thursday’s meeting, although the Presidency has not yet publicly disclosed the full list of agencies that will constitute the task force.
The directive indicates that the government’s response will involve coordination among multiple security and border-control institutions rather than relying on a single agency.
Customs Officers Among Those Held
The disclosure that four Customs officers are among the 10 people being held adds another layer to the investigations.
Customs officials play a central role in Ghana’s border and port operations, including the examination and clearance of goods entering and leaving the country.
Their inclusion among those detained means investigators will have to establish whether the officers allegedly facilitated, participated in or otherwise had connections to the trafficking activities under investigation.
However, being held while investigations continue does not in itself establish criminal responsibility. Any allegations against the individuals will have to be tested through the investigative and judicial processes.
The Presidency did not indicate whether charges had been filed against the 10 individuals.
