1qBY DANIEL BAMPOE
The Member of Parliament for Suhum, Frank Asiedu Bekoe , has called on the government and Ghana’s security agencies to urgently investigate a reported cocaine seizure in Amsterdam involving a consignment said to have originated from Ghana.
The MP described the reported development as a serious concern for Ghana’s international reputation and demanded a full explanation from the government if the details of the reported seizure are confirmed.
His reaction follows a report that Dutch authorities had intercepted a cocaine consignment valued at approximately **US$500 million** in Amsterdam after it was shipped from Ghana.
In a statement issued on October 1, 2026, Mr Asiedu Bekoe said the report, if confirmed, would represent a major embarrassment for the country and could raise fresh questions about the effectiveness of Ghana’s systems for monitoring exports and preventing international narcotics trafficking.
The Suhum MP said the issue should not be treated simply as another international drug seizure because of the potential implications for Ghana’s reputation, legitimate trade and international relations.
According to him, repeated reports of narcotics being linked to consignments originating from Ghana could contribute to perceptions that the country is increasingly being used as a transit point for international drug trafficking.
He warned that such perceptions could have consequences for legitimate Ghanaian businesses and citizens travelling or trading abroad.
Among the concerns he raised was the possibility that Ghanaian exporters and travellers could face increased scrutiny at international ports and airports if foreign authorities begin treating Ghana-linked shipments as presenting heightened narcotics risks.
He also argued that Ghana’s ability to attract foreign investment could be affected if the country develops a reputation for weak controls against international drug trafficking.
The MP further expressed concern about the potential impact on the Ghanaian passport, saying the country’s international standing could be undermined if Ghana becomes associated with the movement of large quantities of narcotics.
His comments come against the backdrop of several international drug seizures involving shipments associated with Ghana in recent years.
One of the cases attracting renewed attention is the **June 2025 seizure in Amsterdam of approximately 4,500 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a timber shipment originating from a Ghanaian company**.
Dutch authorities said the shipment was intercepted at the Port of Amsterdam after the container was selected for further inspection following a risk analysis. Customs officials subsequently used scanners, sniffer dogs and physical inspection procedures before discovering the cocaine concealed within the timber.
Mr Asiedu Bekoe said the government must respond directly to the latest report and provide the public with accurate information about whether the alleged shipment originated from Ghana and, if so, how it passed through the country’s export and security systems.
He specifically called on the government led by President **John Dramani Mahama** to break its silence and provide Ghanaians with an account of what happened.
The MP also directed his call at the **Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), National Security and the Ghana Airports Company**, urging the institutions to provide a comprehensive explanation of the circumstances surrounding the reported shipment.
Among the questions he wants answered are which company exported or handled the consignment, which shipping arrangements were used, what inspections were conducted in Ghana and which agencies or officials cleared the shipment before it left the country.
He also wants authorities to establish whether the shipment passed through Ghanaian ports or airports and whether any security or customs alerts were raised before its departure.
Mr Asiedu Bekoe further called for Parliament to summon the Ministers responsible for **Interior, Transport and Foreign Affairs** to brief lawmakers on the government’s response to the reported seizure and the measures being implemented to protect Ghana’s international reputation.
He argued that the matter requires a coordinated response involving the country’s security, transport, foreign affairs and anti-narcotics institutions.
The MP’s concerns also reflect the broader challenge facing Ghana as an international trading and transportation hub.
Nevertheless, Mr Asiedu Bekoe believes the reported seizure warrants an immediate response because of the potential implications for Ghana’s international image.
He recalled previous efforts under the former administration of President **Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo** to strengthen controls at Ghana’s ports and improve the country’s international standing, arguing that those gains should not be compromised.
The MP warned against what he described as a return to an environment in which international drug networks could exploit Ghanaian territory or commercial infrastructure with impunity.
He therefore urged the government to treat the report as a matter of national security and international reputation rather than a partisan political issue.
The demand comes amid increasing international scrutiny of narcotics trafficking routes through West Africa. Countries in the region have long been identified as potential transit points between drug-producing regions in Latin America and consumer markets in Europe.
Mr Asiedu Bekoe said the government must provide clear answers to the public if the latest report is confirmed.
He maintained that Ghanaians deserve to know how such a large alleged consignment could be linked to the country and what measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents.
He has therefore called for transparency, parliamentary scrutiny and stronger preventive measures.
