Inusah Fuseini: NACOC’s Removal From Port Inspections Created Vulnerability in Ghana’s Fight Against Drug Trafficking

Former Attorney-General and former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Inusah Fuseini, has questioned Ghana’s port inspection arrangements, arguing that the removal of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) from container inspections created a vulnerability in the country’s fight against international drug trafficking.

Speaking on the KYZZ FM Morning Show on September 26, 2026, Mr Fuseini said he was unaware of any clear justification given in 2018 for removing NACOC from the inspection process at the Tema Port.

According to him, about 20 institutions were previously involved in the inspection of containers at the port before export, with NACOC among the agencies involved.

He said several institutions were subsequently removed from the process, leaving four agencies responsible for container inspections.

‘NACOC has specialised expertise’

Mr Fuseini said NACOC’s specialised mandate in narcotics control makes its involvement in port inspections particularly important.

He noted that the commission also maintains relationships with international agencies involved in combating drug trafficking.

He therefore questioned the decision to remove NACOC from the inspection regime, arguing that its absence could weaken Ghana’s ability to detect narcotics shipments passing through the country’s ports.

He further warned that weaknesses in port controls could potentially be exploited by international drug trafficking networks.

Mr Fuseini also raised concerns about Ghana’s links to international narcotics investigations, citing a recent drug trafficking case in France which, according to him, involved Ghana as part of the transit route.

He questioned why Ghanaian authorities were allegedly unable to detect the shipment before it left the country.

Calls for investigation into port inspection changes

The former minister is calling for closer scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the changes to the port inspection arrangements.

He said an investigation should establish who authorised the changes, why NACOC and other institutions were removed from the process, and whether individuals or institutions stood to benefit from the new arrangements.

His comments come amid renewed concerns about Ghana’s possible use as a transit point for international drug trafficking and a series of narcotics-related arrests and seizures.

Government urged to strengthen anti-drug operations

Mr Fuseini also discussed measures being undertaken by the government to address drug trafficking.

He said the government had given a task force a two-week deadline to develop strategies for tackling drug trafficking and related activities.

He also referred to plans to replace or upgrade scanners used in port operations, suggesting that some existing equipment may have become outdated and less effective.

For Mr Fuseini, however, improved equipment alone will not be enough to address the problem.

Intelligence and whistleblowers ‘critical’

The former minister stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and reliable information from whistleblowers in combating drug trafficking.

He said people with information about suspected trafficking activities must be confident that they can report to the authorities without compromising their safety.

He expressed concern that some potential informants may be reluctant to cooperate with narcotics authorities because of fears that their identities could be exposed or that information provided could be compromised.

Mr Fuseini also raised concerns about alleged infiltration of security structures by people connected to drug trafficking.

He recounted a case in which, according to him, a person appointed by the Interior Ministry subsequently allegedly worked with drug traffickers.

‘We must always stay ahead of them’

Mr Fuseini attributed the increasing number of arrests by the newly established task force, in his view, partly to weaknesses within Ghana’s security system that trafficking networks may be seeking to exploit.

He said drug trafficking organisations continuously adapt their methods, requiring security agencies to anticipate and respond to emerging threats.

“If we want to fight and put a stop to this drug issue, we must always be ahead of them.”

He also called for consistency in the enforcement of drug laws, searches and punishment for offenders.

The former minister’s comments have added to the debate over Ghana’s port security arrangements, the role of NACOC in detecting narcotics shipments and the capacity of the country’s intelligence and inspection systems to prevent Ghana from being used as a transit point for international drug trafficking.

The allegations and concerns raised by Mr Fuseini would require verification by the relevant authorities, particularly regarding the decisions that led to changes in the port inspection regime and the specific drug trafficking case he referenced.