Sammi Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has questioned why some key sector ministers were excluded from President John Dramani Mahama’s high-level meeting convened to review Ghana’s border-control systems and measures to combat narcotics trafficking.
In a Facebook post on Monday, September 14, Sammi Awuku questioned why the heads of institutions directly responsible for border, port, aviation and narcotics control would be invited without the ministers responsible for those sectors.
Sammi Awuku questioned why Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, under whose ministry the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority and Ghana Airports Company Limited operate.
He further questioned the absence of the Minister for the Interior, given that the Ghana Police Service and Narcotics Control Commission fall under that ministry.
Sammi Awuku wrote, “If not, why would the heads of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority and Ghana Airports Company Limited, all under the Ministry of Transport, be summoned to such a high-level meeting without the Minister for Transport?”
“Similarly, why would the Ghana Police Service and Narcotics Control Commission, both under the Ministry of the Interior, be at the meeting without the Minister responsible for the sector?” he said.
He further added, “The growing concern about Ghana being used as a transit point for illicit drugs is too serious for us to treat it as an optics exercise”.
“After this meeting, who exactly is expected to supervise and drive the implementation of the decisions reached?” Awuku asked.
“Are we creating another layer of coordination when the Ministers who have direct responsibility for these institutions are not at the table?” he asked.
His comment follows President John Dramani Mahama summoning a high-level meeting of state institutions involved in Ghana’s border security, ports, customs and law enforcement to address growing concerns over narcotics trafficking and other illicit substances following another major drug seizure linked to Ghana.
According to an invitation issued by the Office of the President and signed by Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama on Monday, September 14 2026, the meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at the Jubilee House.
The invitation stated, “You are respectfully invited to attend a high-level meeting to discuss measures to strengthen Ghana’s border security and prevent the trafficking of narcotic drugs and other illicit substances through the country’s ports, airports and land borders.
The meeting will review existing vulnerabilities, intelligence-sharing arrangements, cargo and passenger- screening systems, inter-agency coordination, and the deployment of technology to detect and disrupt narcotics trafficking. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 17th September 2026 at 12:30 p.m. at the Jubilee House.
Each institution should be represented by its head, accompanied by no more than one relevant technical officer. Participants should come prepared to provide a brief assessment of existing security gaps and propose practical measures to improve intelligence sharing, surveillance, screening, and joint enforcement operations.
Given the urgency and national security implications, your personal attendance is required.
Please accept the highest regards of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic”.
Meanwhile, among the institutions invited are the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority and Ghana Police Service.
The National Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Airports Company Limited and other operators within the ports and shipping sector are also expected to participate.
@ghnow_ The Vice President addresses guests at the national launch of the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER). #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ The Vice President departs the launch of the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER) at Alisa Hotel. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
