Ntim Fordjour urges MPs to put national interest ahead of politics in drug trafficking fight

The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, has urged Members of Parliament to put the national interest ahead of partisan politics in addressing Ghana’s growing drug trafficking problem.

The Assin South MP said Parliament’s response to the issue must focus on protecting the country as Ghana continues to be linked to major international narcotics seizures.

“They should come and not make it politics. They should have Ghana first, constituency first,” he said on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday.

His comments follow growing concerns over Ghana’s alleged links to major international drug shipments.

On September 10, French customs authorities intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at Dunkirk. The drugs were concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana.

Four Ghanaians have since been arraigned before the Accra High Court, while a fifth suspect, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, remains at large.

The latest seizure adds to a series of major narcotics cases linked to Ghana.

More than 40 MPs have cited drug seizures linked to Ghana, with a combined value exceeding US$1 billion, over the past two years in a petition seeking the recall of Parliament.

The Minority has invoked Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and the relevant Standing Orders to demand an emergency sitting of Parliament.

Rev. Fordjour said MPs must treat the matter as a national security concern, warning that the impact of drug trafficking could extend beyond the movement of narcotics.

“All these drugs when they come in, not all go out. A lot will be retained here. It’s your children, your youth, and then people who will be consumed and be destroyed by it,” he said.

He further warned of potential links between drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorism.

“And the latter implication, security implication here is that, and like I pointed out, wherever there is drugs, there is money laundering, and wherever there is money laundering, it is linked to terrorism,” he said.

Rev. Fordjour also disclosed that Parliament has secured more than the required 15 per cent of MPs’ signatures needed to trigger a recall.

According to him, the petition, signatures and accompanying memorandum were submitted last week, with the Speaker acknowledging receipt.

The proposed recall would enable Parliament to form a bipartisan committee to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the drug trafficking concerns.

“We are interested in solutions that restore Ghana to its glory,” Rev. Fordjour said.

He also criticised the government’s handling of the situation and called for stronger leadership in tackling the issue.

“So, we need strong leadership, and we need President Mahama on his return from UNGA to act decisively, and to act as a leader who is fully aware of the repercussions of this cartel,” he said.

His comments come shortly after the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference called for a coordinated national response to the country’s drug trafficking problem.

The Conference has also called for stronger investigations into the networks behind major drug shipments linked to Ghana.

Rev. Fordjour maintained that any parliamentary inquiry should be focused on finding solutions rather than worsening political divisions.

“When your MPs are coming, if indeed you did not send them to come to Parliament to endorse drug shipment and drug trafficking, then in your interest, in the interest of the constituency and the larger interest, the grand interest of Ghana, they should come and not make it politics,” he said.

By Esther Padmore Amonoo