Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, has called for a thorough investigation into the seizure by French authorities of a cocaine consignment valued at approximately $260 million, saying Ghana’s hard-earned international reputation must be protected.
French customs authorities on Thursday, September 10, seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a container of plastic waste at the northern French port of Dunkirk.
The container had arrived from Ghana, with part of the consignment reportedly destined for Antwerp in Belgium, according to French authorities.
The seizure has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the shipment, including its origin, the individuals and entities involved in its movement, and whether any persons or networks in Ghana played a role in the alleged trafficking operation.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, September 13, the Madina MP said the development warranted a comprehensive investigation to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable.
He said the matter was particularly important given Ghana’s efforts to build and maintain its standing as a respected member of the international community.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and the NDC Government have done commendably well in positioning Ghana as a respected global leader in diplomacy,” Sosu said.
He also commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for what he described as efforts to project Ghana internationally as a country of integrity and a leader in democracy in Africa.
According to the Madina MP, those gains could be undermined if individuals use Ghana’s international connections and systems for personal enrichment through illicit activities.
“This hard-earned reputation must not be dented by the actions of a few self-serving individuals who may seek to illegally enrich themselves at the expense of the State,” he said.
Mr. Sosu therefore called for the reported cocaine seizure to be subjected to a thorough investigation, including efforts to determine whether there were any Ghanaian connections to the shipment.
“Accordingly, I believe the reported seizure by French authorities of a cocaine consignment valued at approximately $260 million must be thoroughly investigated, and any persons found culpable must be brought to book,” he added.
For Sosu, the issue extends beyond the seizure of an illegal consignment and touches on Ghana’s credibility in international relations.
He argued that Ghana’s reputation is a national asset that should not be compromised by the actions of individuals who may seek to exploit the country’s systems or international relationships for criminal purposes.
“Ghana’s international reputation is a national asset. It must be protected through transparency, accountability, and the uncompromising enforcement of the law,” he said.
