Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has rejected a Minority motion seeking a bipartisan probe into major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana, ruling that the inquiry could prejudice ongoing court cases. The ruling was delivered at an emergency sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 in Accra.
The motion, filed by First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu on September 28, sought an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate how narcotics consignments were processed, inspected, cleared and exported. It cited the seizure of 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine by French Customs at Dunkirk on September 10, 320kg of methamphetamine by Australian Border Force in June, and earlier cocaine busts in Takoradi and Pedu in Cape Coast.
Bagbin said there was substantial factual overlap between the proposed parliamentary inquiry and matters presently before the courts. He argued the committee would have to examine evidence, witnesses and conduct that are directly connected to the criminal justice process and could determine issues meant for a competent court.
The Speaker therefore ruled the private members motion inadmissible pursuant to Standing Orders 5, 6, and 103 Sub-Rule F. He noted that permitting it to proceed in its present form at this time may prejudice the interests of parties to pending judicial proceedings, according to his ruling delivered in Parliament.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin rejected the decision, saying the caucus will explore another constitutional option to keep the narcotics issue on the front burner. He insisted no agency is above the Constitution and that Ghana must not gain notoriety as a transshipment point for drugs, stressing they will not let the matter rest.
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Author: Stella Sunu
