Some members of Parliament have petitioned the Speaker to recall the House from recess for an extraordinary sitting to consider a series of major narcotics-related incidents linked to Ghana.
In a petition led by Habib Iddrisu, the First Deputy Minority Whip, he indicated that the members behind the petition constituted not less than the constitutionally required 15 per cent of the membership of the House.
He indicated that the incidents in relation to the cocaine posed serious questions about national security, the integrity of Ghana’s ports and borders, the fight against organised crime and the country’s international reputation.
Among the issues they want Parliament to investigate is the reported seizure by French authorities of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026, as well as other high-profile drug-related seizures linked to Ghana amounting to well over $1 billion in just two years.
They invoked Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament in requesting the extraordinary meeting.
“Article 112(3) provides that 15 per cent of Members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament, after which the Speaker is required to summon the House within seven days of receiving the request,” they said.
Memorandum
In a memorandum dated September 18, 2026, the MPs said, “We make this request in good faith and in the national interest, recognising Parliament’s responsibility to ensure transparency, accountability and effective oversight of institutions entrusted with the security of the Republic.
“The scale of the reported seizure in France, together with other recent narcotics-related incidents involving consignments originating from or passing through Ghana, warrants urgent parliamentary scrutiny,” they said.
The memorandum was submitted for and on behalf of the MPs by the First Deputy Minority Whip, Habib Iddrisu.
Parliamentary inquiry
Per the memorandum, the cocaine seized in France, valued at more than $260 million, was concealed in a container of plastic waste that had departed Ghana.
The petitioners said the incident raised questions about the security and integrity of Ghana’s ports and export systems, customs controls, intelligence gathering and narcotics enforcement.
They said while investigations by the appropriate Ghanaian and international authorities were ongoing, Parliament had an important constitutional oversight responsibility to establish the relevant facts and obtain appropriate institutional accountability without prejudicing those investigations or the rights of persons under investigation.
Considering the seriousness of these developments and their implications for national security, Ghana’s international reputation, the integrity of the country’s ports and borders, and the fight against organised crime, they said Parliament should set up parliamentary inquiry or investigation into the institutional, regulatory and security issues arising from these incidents.
“These may include, as Parliament considers appropriate, the minister responsible for the Interior, Minister responsible for Transport, Minister responsible for National Security, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau and other relevant security and regulatory agencies,” they said.
The MPs said Parliament should particularly be made known of the circumstances under which the container intercepted in France was processed and exported from Ghana, the port or facility through which the consignment departed Ghana and the applicable inspection, scanning and clearance procedures.
They also want the House to know the identities and roles of the companies and institutions involved in the processing and clearing of the consignment, subject to legitimate restrictions necessary to protect ongoing investigations, the progress of investigations and arrests made in connection with the matter and the extent of cooperation between Ghanaian authorities and the French and other international counterparts.
“Parliament must know measures being taken to identify the financiers, organisers and networks behind major narcotics trafficking operations, the adequacy of security, scanning, intelligence and surveillance systems at Ghana’s ports, airports and other points of entry and exit and measures being implemented to prevent Ghana from being used as a transit or operational point for international narcotics trafficking,” they said.
Other drug seizures
The MPs also highlighted other drugs-related incidents since 2025.
They said on March 4, 2025, the National Intelligence Bureau intercepted over 3.3 tonnes of cocaine concealed beneath sand in a tipper truck at Pedu Junction, Cape Coast, with an estimated street value exceeding $350 million.
Within the same period, a second consignment of approximately 120 slabs of cocaine, valued at approximately $150 million, was intercepted along the Takoradi-Cape Coast highway.
“On August 5, 2026, the Tema Regional Police Command seized 866 parcels of suspected cocaine concealed in sacks of gari at a warehouse within the Tema Harbour enclave, valued at $6.9 million.
“Again, an aircraft alleged to be carrying narcotics and undeclared US currency from Gran Canaria landed at Kotoka International Airport on or around March 20, 2025, a matter that remains unresolved; and the MV Sankofa, found sailing under a forged flag and released by the Ghana Maritime Authority upon payment of a fraction of an applicable fine of almost GH¢12 million without full inspection of its cargo, was subsequently arrested in Senegal carrying narcotics,” they said.
Besides, they said on June 18, 2026, Australian customs authorities seized 320kg of methamphetamine, valued at $261 million, concealed in a charcoal consignment traced to Ghana.
