The African University of Communication and Business (AUCB) Lecturer Peter Wonder has warned that Ghana risks serious damage to its international reputation and economy if authorities fail to decisively tackle the growing concerns surrounding narcotics trafficking and expose those behind the trade.
Commenting on the recent controversy over Ghana-linked narcotics seizures on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Wonder argued that drug trafficking networks operate through several channels before consignments reach their final destinations, making the identification of the main actors difficult.
He expressed concern about how large quantities of illicit drugs could allegedly pass through the country without being detected by security agencies, describing the situation as a major national security concern.
“If all our security agencies couldn’t notice the quantity of cocaine in our ports before it was transferred, then we are sitting on a time bomb,” he cautioned.
Wonder further argued that narcotics networks could have links with influential individuals, making investigations complicated. He stressed, however, that such claims must be properly investigated and proven rather than assumed.
His comments come amid a political dispute over the Minority’s attempt to establish an ad hoc parliamentary committee to investigate major narcotics consignments linked to Ghana.
Moreover he disclosed that, Speaker Alban Bagbin ruled the motion inadmissible on September 29, saying its scope substantially overlapped with ongoing investigations and judicial proceedings and could prejudice those cases. He clarified that his ruling did not mean Parliament could never inquire into the matter.
He also was in support of the speaker’s ruling adding that most Parliament Arian are inter-related and that can compromise their findings.
The Minority has disagreed with the ruling, maintaining that Parliament should still be able to examine institutional and systemic issues surrounding border security and anti-narcotics enforcement without determining criminal liability.
Wonder urged authorities to pursue the individuals and networks behind narcotics trafficking, warning that failure to act could damage Ghana’s international image and potentially threaten key economic interests, including cocoa exports.
