The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has called for the immediate suspension of Ghana’s maritime and port cooperation arrangements with Colombia.
Citing growing national security concerns over cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, the Caucus also demanded the suspension of the Ghana-Colombia bilateral visa-waiver arrangement.
In a statement dated October 1, 2026, and signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minority, the Minority said the call has become necessary amid what it described as an unprecedented series of major narcotic seizures linked to Ghana under the current administration.
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Abu Jinapor expressed concern about Colombia’s role in the international cocaine trade and Ghana’s expanding bilateral and maritime links with the South American country.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in its 2026 World Drug Report, identifies Colombia, followed by Peru and Brazil, as the main departure countries for cocaine shipments globally between 2020 and 2024. The report also says cocaine departing Colombia is transported primarily by sea. (UNODC Data Portal)
The Minority argued that these findings warranted a comprehensive security assessment of Ghana’s arrangements with Colombia.
The Caucus also cited a September 29 JoyNews report based on Belgian customs figures, which placed Ghana fifth among countries of origin for cocaine seized at the Port of Antwerp in 2025. Ghana was the only African country among the five countries listed. (MyJoyOnline)
The Minority said the concerns are particularly serious given the repeated interception of multi-tonne cocaine consignments linked to Ghana both locally and internationally.
According to the Ranking Member, the emerging situation has already raised questions about the integrity of Ghana’s ports and the country’s international reputation.
“Government must not compound these concerns by proceeding with such bilateral arrangements before the attendant risks have been properly assessed and addressed,” he said.
The Minority is therefore demanding three key measures: the immediate suspension of the Ghana-Colombia visa-waiver arrangement, suspension of the maritime and port cooperation arrangements, and submission of the entire framework, including the visa-waiver agreement, to Parliament for a comprehensive security review.
It stressed that its position is aimed at protecting Ghana’s borders, institutions and national interests.
“Our ports must remain gateways for legitimate trade, and not conduits for international criminal networks,” the statement said.