Cocaine seizure: Security Analyst questions gov’t silence over security taskforce’s report

Security analyst Adib Saani has questioned the apparent silence surrounding the report of a security taskforce established by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate recent international drug seizures linked to Ghana.

He says the absence of public updates, despite the two-week period reportedly given to the team to complete its work, raises concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing the recurring drug trafficking incidents.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the Executive Director of the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building said he had expected the taskforce to have submitted its findings by now, but no information had been made public.

“I was thinking that the security team would have submitted its report within the two weeks the President instructed, but till now, nothing has been heard. It is a very sad situation,” he said.

Mr Saani questioned why Ghanaians had not been briefed on the outcome of the investigations, particularly given the potential consequences of the seizures for the country’s international reputation.

His concerns follow the interception of 2.6 tonnes of cocaine in Spain, an incident he believes could reinforce perceptions that Ghana is becoming an attractive transit point for international drug traffickers.

He warned that repeated seizures involving Ghana-linked consignments could trigger stricter security checks on shipments from the country at international ports.

“If we do not take care, any person or container coming from Ghana could be subjected to enhanced security checks because we are gaining notoriety,” he cautioned.

According to him, such heightened scrutiny could affect legitimate exporters, businesses and investor confidence if Ghana-originating shipments are increasingly viewed as potential drug trafficking risks.

He called on the government to urgently address weaknesses in the institutions responsible for drug enforcement, port security and cargo inspection.

Mr Saani also suggested that temporarily replacing personnel within the cargo-handling chain could help disrupt suspected trafficking networks and restore confidence in the country’s security arrangements.

He stressed that the government must demonstrate urgency and transparency in dealing with the matter to protect Ghana’s international standing and reassure its trading partners.

Also read:

• Majority Leader opposes parliamentary probe into cocaine bust, says security agencies should complete investigations

• Mahama receives preliminary report on $200m cocaine shipment

• Scale of recent drug trafficking cases worrying – Security analyst