Election Killings: 25 Stand Trial, 13 Others Remain Wanted
The Interior Ministry has reported major gains in the fight against narcotics, election-related violence and irregular migration.
A total of 217 people have been arrested and 165 prosecutions initiated as part of operations by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak disclosed during the Government Accountability Series, where he also outlined progress in the repatriation of migrant beggars, investigations into the 2020 and 2024 election-related killings and the recruitment of personnel into Ghana’s security services.
According to him, NACOC operations have resulted in the interception of more than 8.5 tonnes of narcotic drugs and 45.4 million Tramadol tablets, highlighting the scale of the government’s ongoing efforts to disrupt the illicit drug trade. The operations have also led to the recovery of 73 tainted assets, including more than 19 kilogrammes of gold seized in suspected drug-money laundering cases. In addition, the Commission has restrained more than GH¢6.9 million and US$440,000 in cash and other assets as part of investigations into suspected narcotics-related financial crimes. The minister said the figures reflect intensified efforts to tackle not only the trafficking and distribution of narcotics but also the financial networks that support the illicit trade.
On irregular migration, Mr Muntaka said Ghana had repatriated 2,281 migrant beggars to neighbouring countries by the end of 2025. He disclosed that the exercise continued into 2026, with another 960 migrant beggars repatriated by July, bringing the total number repatriated under the programme to 3,241. He said the government would continue working to ensure that persons identified as being in the country illegally are repatriated through lawful and appropriate procedures. The minister stressed that the exercise forms part of broader efforts to address irregular migration while ensuring that enforcement measures comply with the law.
The Interior Minister also provided an update on investigations into election-related killings, saying 26 suspects have so far been put before the courts in cases investigated by the security authorities. Of that number, one suspect has been discharged, while 25 are currently standing trial. He added that security agencies are pursuing 13 other suspects for arrest, investigation and prosecution. The update comes amid renewed government attention to unresolved cases of election-related violence, particularly incidents linked to the 2020 and 2024 general elections. The minister said investigations and efforts to bring outstanding suspects before the courts remain ongoing.
On recruitment into the security services, the Interior Minister disclosed that the first 10,000 successful applicants recruited into the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Prisons Service and Ghana Immigration Service are currently undergoing training. He said a further 10,000 recruits are expected to commence training next year, to be selected from the existing pool of successful applicants. The recruitment drive is expected to strengthen personnel levels across the four security agencies and improve their capacity to respond to Ghana’s internal security needs. Mr Muntaka said the government remains committed to strengthening the country’s security architecture while pursuing measures to improve law enforcement, combat organised crime and address emerging security threats.
The minister’s presentation forms part of the government’s accountability engagements, through which ministries and agencies provide updates on their performance, ongoing interventions and challenges.
By: Joyce Owusu
