President John Dramani Mahama has summoned 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.
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.
In the meantime, three persons have been busted by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for allegedly representing and facilitating the activities of Dutch fugitive drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos”, in Ghana.
The three suspects’ arrests follow the seizure of a major cocaine shipment by French customs.
According to NACOC, the three suspects are currently in its custody and are assisting investigators to establish their alleged roles in the trafficking operation.
NACOC disclosed that the arrests form part of efforts to disrupt international drug-trafficking networks operating in or through Ghana.
The Commission said in a statement read, “NACOC remains resolute that Ghana will not be a safe haven, transit point or operational base for international drug-trafficking organisations”.
They added that the Commission would continue to work with domestic and international law-enforcement partners to disrupt the people, finances and infrastructure sustaining the illicit drug trade.
NACOC further disclosed that the rights and legal protections of all persons under investigation would be respected.
See the statement below:
@ghnow_ Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, shares warm moments with guests at the launch of PRIMER. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – :RED🌹BERYL:
@ghnow_ Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang poses for a group photo with ministers and other dignitaries at the launch of PRIMER. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
