Former Anyaa-Sowutuom NPP MP Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi has raised concerns over the Interior Ministry’s handling of recent international drug seizures linked to Ghana, placing responsibility on Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak.
He argued that, given the Interior Minister’s responsibility for Ghana’s internal security, the authorities should have had prior intelligence on the narcotics operations before foreign agencies intercepted the consignments.
Dr Adomako Kissi said the Interior Minister’s lack of prior knowledge about the operations raises questions about how intelligence is shared and coordinated, as well as the effectiveness of Ghana’s security system.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 23, he questioned how the Minister could have been unaware of incidents that could potentially harm Ghana’s reputation on the international security front.
“High on the list is the Interior Minister,Muntaka Mubarak.If he wasn’t privy to this happening,then I’m troubled. That means that there’s a breakage in terms of the intelligence-gathering unit and the Interior Minister.And that is not good”,he said.
He maintained that major security developments should be within the Interior Minister’s knowledge, especially cases involving international narcotics trafficking and issues that could affect Ghana’s standing abroad.
He further suggested that the Minister’s apparent unawareness pointed to a disconnect between him and key developments within the country’s security sector.
“As an Interior Minister,you should know to a T anything that impacts the country’s security reputation.And for all intents and purposes,he should have had wind of this.That means his ears are not on the ground,and that can be troubling”,he added.
His remarks come amid several drug seizures linked to Ghana, including the recent French interception of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a consignment of plastic waste shipped from the country.
The shipment was intercepted at the Port of Dunkirk, prompting renewed concerns about allegations that Ghana is being used as a transit route for international drug trafficking.
Dr Adomako Kissi said the recent seizures should prompt a closer examination of Ghana’s intelligence and security coordination systems, particularly to strengthen the country’s ability to detect and prevent international narcotics trafficking before such consignments leave its borders.
