The Member of Parliament for Madina and a member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, has called for a thorough investigation into the seizure of a cocaine consignment valued at about $260 million by French authorities.
Dr Sosu warned that the incident could damage Ghana’s hard-earned international reputation if the circumstances surrounding the shipment are not properly investigated and those responsible are held accountable.
French customs authorities on Thursday, September 10, seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a container carrying plastic waste at the northern port of Dunkirk.
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The container had arrived in France from Ghana, while France’s organised crime prosecutor’s office said part of the consignment was destined for Antwerp, Belgium.
Reacting to the seizure in a Facebook post on Sunday, September 13, Dr Sosu said the matter must be treated with urgency, particularly at a time when Ghana is seeking to strengthen its reputation as a country committed to democratic governance, the rule of law and international cooperation.
He said President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had made significant progress in positioning Ghana as a respected participant in global diplomacy.
The Madina MP also commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for what he described as efforts to strengthen Ghana’s international image and project the country as a nation committed to integrity and democratic values.
Dr Sosu, however, cautioned that Ghana’s diplomatic gains could be undermined by individuals who might seek to exploit the country’s international connections for personal benefit.
“This hard-earned reputation must not be dented by the actions of a few self-serving individuals who may seek to illegally enrich themselves at the expense of the State,” he said.
Full investigation
Dr Sosu urged the relevant Ghanaian authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the shipment and determine whether any individuals or entities in Ghana were involved in the alleged cocaine trafficking operation.
He said anyone found to have played a role in the shipment should face the full force of the law, irrespective of their position, influence or connections.
“Accordingly, I believe the reported seizure by French authorities of a cocaine consignment valued at approximately $260 million must be thoroughly investigated, and any persons found culpable must be brought to book,” he added.
The MP stressed that the investigation should establish how the cocaine was concealed in a shipment of plastic waste, how the consignment passed through Ghana and whether there were any lapses or deliberate acts of complicity within Ghana’s cargo and security systems.
He said Ghana’s international reputation should be treated as a national asset and protected through transparency, accountability and strict enforcement of the law.