“Oversight isn’t child’s play” – Dr Aning urges parliament to use powers, not press conferences, in drug probe

The Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Dr Kwasi Aning has criticised the handling of recent drug trafficking allegations raised by Reverend Ntim Fordjour, urging Parliament to use its constitutional powers rather than holding press briefings.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile programme on Saturday, April 5, 2025, Dr Aning said Parliament possesses the authority, capacity, and mechanisms to scrutinise national security matters without resorting to public accusations based on suspicion.

He described such press conferences as premature and warned they could undermine public confidence in state institutions.

“The way forward… is about rebuilding trust, respect, and collegiality centred on what makes Ghana work best,” he told host Samson Lardy Anyenini. “This is a conversation that takes place in all parliamentary democracies, where the opposition may receive credible intelligence, but that intelligence is not first made public.”

Dr Aning outlined at least seven parliamentary procedures available to MPs for raising security-related concerns. 

These include inviting ministers to answer questions on the floor, filing motions, delivering statements, reviewing quarterly expenditure reports, and visiting relevant institutions such as airports and security agencies.

He noted that Reverend Fordjour and his committee could have exercised these options rather than going public.

“Security oversight is serious business,” he said. “If the committee had concerns, they could have conducted in-camera hearings or used their powers to subpoena documents like flight manifests.”

Dr Aning emphasised that national security issues should be approached in a bipartisan manner.

“If resistance is met, then escalation may be necessary, but public accusations without evidence damage institutional trust,” he added.

He also referenced Ghana’s past involvement in the global narcotics trade, saying:

“About 13 percent of Europe’s cocaine once passed through Ghana. That is not something to take lightly, but allegations must be investigated properly and not made loosely.”

Dr Aning urged Parliament to approach its oversight responsibilities with gravity and professionalism.

“Parliament must act with authority, ability, and the right attitude,” he stated. “Oversight isn’t a child’s play.”

His comments follow recent claims by Reverend Ntim Fordjour, who alleged that suspicious flights linked to possible drug trafficking were landing at Ghana’s airports under the pretext of technical stops.

The government has since rejected the claims, describing them as baseless.