Ghana's Drug Fight: Time for Solutions, Not Blame Games

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has a clear message for the Mahama administration: own the problem, fix the system, and stop pointing fingers at the previous government. His sharp rebuke comes after Majority Leader James Agalga linked recent cocaine seizures at the Tema Port to a 2018 policy decision under the NPP administration.

What did the Majority Leader say about the cocaine seizures?

Speaking at a press briefing in Parliament on September 24, 2026, Agalga argued that a 2018 decision to exclude the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) from mandatory joint inspections at Ghana's busiest port weakened the country's ability to monitor cargo effectively.

The Majority Leader noted that the current government has since taken corrective steps, including reinstating NACOC's role in joint inspections and expanding its operational footprint nationwide.

The numbers behind Ghana's narcotics enforcement

Agalga pointed to significant progress under the current administration. NACOC recorded 73 arrests in 2024, a figure that jumped to 217 arrests across 165 cases in 2025. The Commission also seized 1,497.75 kilogrammes of narcotic substances in 2025, alongside other controlled substances and drug-related assets.

These figures suggest a more aggressive enforcement posture, but Manasseh Azure argues they raise a critical question: if the system was broken, why did it take nearly two years to fix it?

Manasseh Azure: 'Don't shift blame to the opposition'

In a Facebook post on September 26, 2026, Manasseh made his position unmistakably clear. He acknowledged the flawed port policy but insisted the current administration had ample time to identify and address the gaps.

Granted that there was a flawed policy at the port that affected vigilance over drugs, the officials you appointed over a year ago should have assessed and realised the gaps.

He challenged the notion that Ghana's own security and narcotics officials needed foreign authorities to expose weaknesses in the system. The journalist also rejected what he called an unacceptable attempt to shift responsibility.

Blaming the NPP for the drug menace is unacceptably lame. You were elected to fix the problems you said the NPP was incapable of fixing.

Can the government take credit and avoid blame at the same time?

Manasseh zeroed in on the logical inconsistency in the government's position. If the administration celebrates improved enforcement numbers, it must also own the lapses that allowed drugs to flow through Ghana's ports.

You can't take credit for the positive developments and blame the NPP for the lapses under your watch.

He stressed that the Mahama administration now controls the entire national security architecture and should focus on solving the current drug trafficking challenge rather than engaging in political point-scoring.

Why the politicisation of drugs is 'nauseating'

Manasseh also criticised the broader trend of turning drug enforcement into a political football. He recalled how the NPP had previously been labelled a cocaine party during Ghana's Fourth Republic, noting that such accusations do nothing to solve the problem.

The politicisation of the drugs problem is nauseating.

What should Ghana's focus be now?

For Manasseh, the path forward is clear. The current administration must take responsibility for the security architecture it now commands and deliver results.

As for the real issues, President Mahama and the NDC administration are responsible for solving the problem we have now. Do not shift blame to the opposition. It will not wash. They are not in charge. You are.

Frequently asked questions about Ghana's drug enforcement

How many drug arrests has NACOC made recently?

NACOC recorded 73 arrests in 2024, increasing to 217 arrests across 165 cases in 2025, according to Majority Leader James Agalga.

What policy change affected NACOC's port inspections?

A 2018 decision excluded NACOC from mandatory joint inspections at the Tema Port, which critics say weakened oversight of cargo entering Ghana.

Has the government taken steps to strengthen NACOC?

Yes, the government says it has reinstated NACOC's participation in mandatory joint inspections and expanded its operational presence across the country.

Why is Manasseh Azure criticising the government's response?

He argues the Mahama administration has been in office for nearly two years and should have identified and fixed the gaps without waiting for foreign authorities to expose them.