Kofi Amankwa-Manu, a former Deputy Defence Minister, has said Ghana’s drug trafficking concerns are getting out of hand, calling for the immediate call of Parliament.
According to Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Ghana’s growing drug trafficking concerns require a coordinated national response.
He argued that Parliament must play a role in helping the government confront the threat.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Kofi Amankwa-Manu stated, “This is a worrying, you know, thing which has to be tackled holistically”.
“At tomorrow’s meeting, let me dare say that one thing I really want to see happen is the strengthening of the efficient and effective, you know, sharing of intelligence amongst, you know, all the security agencies, especially with regards to this fight against drug trafficking.”
“I will want to approach the leadership of Parliament to really bring Parliament back for us to have an in-depth discussion in helping the government to fight this canker,” he said.
When asked whether he wanted Parliament recalled over the matter, he stated: “Yes, I want to recall.”
“If we can have a recall just to appoint a few people, this is an issue affecting the image and the country as a whole, and it is important that we all put our shoulders to the wheel to find a solution to this problem,” he said.
Mr Amankwa-Manu added that Parliament must consider what more it can do.
“We have committees. We have committees, and the Committee for Defence and Interior, and then the Committee on Security and Intelligence,” he said.
“But after the committee is done its work, it has to come to plenary for others to also add their voices so that we can then, you know, send whatever we need to assist government in the fight against this canker,” he said.
“Because it is getting out of hand, and the earlier something drastic and something major is done, the better it will be for the country.”
Kofi Amankwa-Manu comes on the heels of a series of major drug-related cases involving Ghana in recent months.
Meanwhile, Four Ghanaians have been remanded by the High Court in Accra over their alleged involvement in a plot to export about four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France.
The four were remanded after they were charged and arraigned before the High Court in Accra.
The accused have been identified as Desmond Koranteng Curiel, alias “Paul Kweku Yeboah” or “Biggs”; Musah Attah, alias “Kromo”; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog.
According to reports, they were arraigned on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and are facing two charges: Conspiracy to commit a crime, namely the exportation of narcotic drugs without a licence issued by the Minister of Health and Exportation of narcotic drugs.
The charges were filed against the four on Wednesday, and the hearing was held shortly afterwards.
The four have been remanded for four weeks and are expected to reappear before the court on October 13, 2026.
A fifth suspect, Jos Leijdekkers, alias “Bolle Jos”, a Dutch national, is said to be on the run.
The development follows French customs officials having intercepted nearly 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine, worth about $261 million, in a shipment from Ghana.
According to Reuters news, the shipment was confiscated at the northern French port of Dunkirk on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The cocaine was concealed in 167 packages inside a container carrying plastic waste from Ghana and destined for Antwerp, Belgium.
The 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine is allegedly linked to the criminal organisation of fugitive Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers.
Reports suggest the drugs have since been destroyed, with French prosecutors opening an investigation into the seizure.
According to French authorities, the seizure followed a targeted operation by the judicial police against a criminal network suspected of being behind the shipment, with the investigation focused on offences including the organised importation of narcotics and participation in a criminal association.
The seizure is expected to form part of the broader investigation into the movement of the cocaine from Ghana to France and the criminal network alleged to have organised the shipment.
@ghnow_ Students have arrived at the Ashalaja School Park ahead of the distribution of 500 chop boxes and mattresses donated by Hon. Nii Comey. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
@ghnow_ Hon. Nii Comey has donated 500 chop boxes and mattresses to residents of the Domeabra Obom Constituency. The items are being distributed today at Ashalaja School Park. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
