Afenyo-Markin warns Ghana risks losing a generation to drug abuse

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has warned that Ghana risks losing a generation of young people to drug abuse, urging urgent national action to address the growing threat of narcotics trafficking and its impact on communities.

He said the proliferation of illicit drugs was undermining the health, productivity and future of young people, while placing an increasing burden on families and the country’s healthcare and social welfare systems.

Ghana has been linked to several major international narcotics seizures in recent months, including the interception of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk in France.

The cocaine was reportedly concealed in a consignment of plastic waste shipped from Ghana.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of Parliament’s resumption on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the consequences of drug trafficking extended beyond national security concerns and the country’s international reputation.

“The proliferation of illicit drugs threatens the health and the future of our young people. It destroys families, undermines productivity, and places an increasing burden on our healthcare and social welfare systems.

“We risk losing a generation of young people whose potential should be contributing to the development of our country,” he said.

The Minority Leader stressed the need for Ghana to address the domestic consequences of narcotics trafficking, rather than concentrate solely on the security and diplomatic implications of international drug seizures.

“Beyond the implications for national security and our international reputation, we must also confront the devastating consequences of narcotics finding their way into our communities,” he said.

He maintained that tackling drug trafficking should be a collective national responsibility, insisting that public institutions mandated to protect citizens must be held accountable for their actions and omissions.

“This is why the fight against narcotic drug trafficking must concern every Ghanaian and why the institutions entrusted with protecting our society must be held accountable,” he added.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said parliamentary scrutiny of institutional and regulatory weaknesses that may have contributed to drug trafficking was necessary and consistent with Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibilities.

“It is against this background that we the Minority consider parliamentary scrutiny of these institutional and regulatory matters both necessary and consistent with Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibility,” he said.

The Minority has maintained that a proposed parliamentary inquiry would focus on examining the performance of public institutions and identifying weaknesses in Ghana’s drug enforcement systems, rather than interfering with ongoing criminal proceedings.

The caucus has filed a motion seeking a review of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling that declared inadmissible its proposed parliamentary inquiry into drug trafficking through the country.

The motion is expected to come before the House as Parliament resumes sittings, with the Minority seeking renewed consideration of its request for a parliamentary investigation into the matter.

Also read:

• Ghana will become hostile territory for drug traffickers – Security Analyst

• Police arrest 192 suspects in October crackdown on drugs and illegal weapons