Drug trafficking: Mahama moves to tighten port security after recent cases

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the formation of an inter-agency task force to develop measures to prevent the trafficking of narcotics through Ghana’s borders.

The directive followed an urgent meeting with security chiefs on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during which the President received a briefing on investigations into recent cases of drugs being trafficked out of Ghana’s ports.

According to the Presidency, 10 individuals, including four officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), are currently being held as investigations continue.

The meeting also reviewed the existing structure and security systems at Ghana’s borders and identified areas requiring new interventions.

President Mahama subsequently directed the inter-agency task force to prepare a detailed roadmap outlining measures to strengthen the country’s border controls and prevent narcotics trafficking.

The task force has been given two weeks to present the roadmap based on the outcome of Thursday’s meeting.

The meeting aims at strengthening Ghana’s systems for detecting and preventing the movement of narcotics through the country’s ports and other borders.

The development follows recent concerns over major drug trafficking cases linked to Ghana, prompting the Presidency to convene security and relevant port-sector authorities to review the country’s border-control arrangements.