Ghana drug case: MP demands prosecution of officials accused of aiding $300m meth shipment

A senior opposition lawmaker in Ghana has called for any government officials linked to a 320kg methamphetamine shipment seized in Australia to be publicly identified and prosecuted, after the Interior Minister disclosed that investigators suspect the involvement of public officials.

Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee, said anyone found to have facilitated the alleged drug trafficking operation should face the full force of the law, regardless of their position.

"Those government officials must be named and prosecuted. We will resist every attempt to shield drug trafficking government officials," he wrote on social media.

His comments came a day after Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak told Parliament's Committee on Government Assurance that preliminary investigations had uncovered possible involvement of some government and public officials in facilitating the movement of a shipment of 320kg of methamphetamine, valued at more than $300m (£220m), through Ghana.

The minister did not identify any suspects or specify the roles allegedly played by the officials.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour said public office should never be used to support organised crime.

"You've been elected and appointed not to use power to operate a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking cartel," he said.

The alleged involvement of public officials has intensified political scrutiny of the case, with opposition lawmakers demanding transparency as investigations continue.

Authorities have not announced any arrests or formal charges linked to the alleged involvement of government officials.

The case centres on a large consignment of methamphetamine intercepted in Australia after investigators traced its route through Ghana.

The Interior Ministry says investigations are continuing in collaboration with security agencies to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shipment and identify everyone involved.

Drug trafficking has become an increasing concern for West African governments, with the region frequently identified as a transit corridor for narcotics destined for Europe, Asia and other international markets.

The latest allegations are likely to increase pressure on the Ghanaian government to demonstrate that investigations will be conducted independently and that anyone found responsible will be held accountable, irrespective of political affiliation.