Ghana's Ports Under Siege: Mahama Leads Fight Against Exploding Drug Trafficking Crisis!
Ghana is grappling with a major drug trafficking scandal involving nearly four tonnes of suspected cocaine destined for France. Six individuals have been denied bail by the Kwabenya Circuit Court, while President John Dramani Mahama has convened security chiefs to address the issue, leading to the detention of ten persons, including four GRA Customs officers, and the formation of a task force to strengthen border controls.
Investigations into a significant drug trafficking operation allegedly involving nearly four tonnes of suspected cocaine exported from Ghana to France are intensifying, prompting both judicial action and high-level governmental intervention. On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Kwabenya Circuit Court in Accra denied bail to six individuals connected to this incident, while concurrently, President John Dramani Mahama convened an urgent meeting with security chiefs to address the rampant issue of drug trafficking through Ghana’s ports.
The six accused persons – Francis Narh Amanor, Frank Adu-Boahen, Togbe Agbeti, Andrews Tetteh Amponsah, Daniel Laryea, and Helena Akua Denkyi – appeared before the court in connection with four 40-foot containers that reportedly left Tema Port and were later intercepted in France carrying approximately 3.9 tonnes of suspected narcotic substances. Four of these individuals are linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and face allegations concerning the Customs scanning process at Tema Port. The prosecution alleges that scan images of the containers (SELU4549480, FFAU2242304, MSDU5642699 and SELU4809801) showed abnormalities that should have led to further examination, yet they were cleared for export.
Specifically, Frank Adu-Boahen is alleged to have provided his login credentials to other accused persons for scan-image analysis, a task he was expected to perform himself. Adu-Boahen is also reportedly the owner of the four containers and admitted to investigators that he loaded them at a warehouse in Community 12, Tema, shipping them with Francis Narh Amanor. Amanor, a freight forwarder and Managing Director of Fresna Commodities Ltd, was identified on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) as the exporter, with his contact number linked to both Fresna Commodities and F&F Logistics, which he claims to own. Amanor stated that the containers contained pet flakes or plastic scraps and identified Adu-Boahen as the shipment's owner. The six accused face serious charges including conspiracy to export narcotic drugs, exportation of narcotic drugs without the required licence, and abetment of the exportation of narcotic drugs, with the latter specifically directed at the four GRA officials. All six were remanded in custody, with the case adjourned to September 24, 2026.
In a parallel development on Thursday, September 17, President John Dramani Mahama received a detailed briefing on ongoing investigations into drug trafficking out of Ghana’s ports. A statement from Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that ten individuals, including four officers of the Customs Division of the GRA, are currently being held as investigations proceed. The Presidency, however, refrained from disclosing identities or specific allegations at this stage, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the probe. The meeting also critically reviewed existing security systems aimed at preventing drug trafficking and explored additional measures to bolster controls.
To proactively combat this menace, President Mahama directed the immediate formation of an inter-agency task force. This task force is mandated to develop a comprehensive roadmap, within two weeks, detailing strategies to prevent the trafficking of drugs through Ghana’s borders. This directive underscores the government's commitment to addressing systemic vulnerabilities and strengthening enforcement mechanisms in light of the recent trafficking revelations.